NRC SEEKS INFORMATION ON NUCLEAR PLANT SECURITY POLICIES AND

NRC News Release, December 13, 2007:

As a result of recent reports of inattentive security guards at some nuclear power plants, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission today told operators of commercial nuclear power plants and certain fuel cycle facilities they must provide specific information to the agency on their security programs and practices.

The information sought includes what actions licensees have taken to ensure security officer attentiveness. The NRC will review the information to determine if additional regulatory actions are warranted.

Specifically, the licensees must provide such information as their actions and management controls to detect and correct behavioral problems; details on how the licensees are ensuring their employees report potential safety and security concerns; information on physical conditions at security posts; and results of any recent self assessments associated with these issues.

Licensees have 60 days to provide the information requested in the bulletin.  If they cannot meet this deadline, licensees can file a request for an extension within 15 days of receiving the bulletin.

“Several of our licensees have had instances of inattentive security officers,” said Roy Zimmerman, director of the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response. “While multiple layers of defense at each site maintained its security, the NRC is concerned that, collectively, these incidents are a sign that some licensees are not giving appropriate attention to the effectiveness of this portion of their security programs.”

A copy of the bulletin will be available through the NRC’s Agencywide Documents Access and Management System at this page: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html . The locator number of the document is: ML073400150.