Advanced search Help
Searching for terms: EXACT: "Meserve, Richard A." in: author
Clear all search criteria
Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).
-
Letters to The Honorable Tom Ridge, from Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, September 5, 2002 & March 31, 2003
These two letters outline the steps the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has taken to evaluate and enhance security at NRC-licensed facilities since September 11, 2001. The letters highlight some of the significant accomplishments of the NRC, and their licensees. The letters also describe certain ongoing initiatives.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2003
-
Statement Submitted by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Invesitgations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives, Concerning Nuclear Power Plant Security(2)
This statement discusses the current status of actions that NRC and its licensees have taken in response to the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11 and outline the work that lies ahead. The belief is that the NRC's response to the September attacks has been appropriate and thoughtful, and that the NRC's current programs continue to provide a very high level of security. Before September 11, 2001, nuclear power plants were among the best defended and most hardened facilities of the Nation's critical infrastructure. In the aftermath of the attacks, security was strengthened considerably. On September 11, the NRC activated its Emergency Operations Center in Rockville, Maryland and all four Regions activated their Incident Response Centers. They immediately advised the licensees of all nuclear power plants, non-power reactors, nuclear fuel facilities, gaseous diffusion plants, and decommissioning reactors to go to the highest level of security as defined by a 1998 safeguards information notice and they promptly did. Their licensees have remained at the highest level of security as described in the 1998 notice since that time. They have maintained a steady flow of information with their licensees through over 30 updates to the original threat advisory, regular communications between the NRC Regional Administrators and licensees, audits of licensee activities, and numerous interactions with various stakeholders. In February they issued Orders to each operating power reactor licensee specifying actions each must take to continue the high level of security to protect the plants, and thereby public health.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2002-04-11
-
Nuclear Security in the Post-September 11 Environment
Since September 11th there have been no specific credible threats of a terrorist attack on nuclear power plants. Of course, there is information that al Qaeda considers nuclear facilities as potential terrorist targets. In light of the high general threat environment, we and our licensees have maintained our highest security posture. The physical protection at nuclear power plants is very strong. I know that there has been a lot of discussion concerning the adequacy of security in light of the sensitivity of these facilities. But let me assure you that nuclear plants are not "soft" targets. For decades, security against sabotage has been an important part of the NRC's regulatory activities and our licensees' responsibilities. The plants are among the most formidable structures in existence and they are guarded by well trained and well armed security forces. The security at nuclear plants is and has always been far more substantial than that at other civilian facilities. I want to assure you that the NRC is responding to the terrorist threat in a comprehensive fashion. September 11 has served to alert America to the need for re-examination of past practices. As a result, the NRC is undertaking a top-to-bottom review of our security program to ensure that we have the right protections in place for the long term.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2002-01-17
-
One Year After: Reflections on Nuclear Security: Dr. Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, at the INFOCAST Conference 'The Nuclear Renaissance: Maximizing the Value of Nuclear Assets,' Washington, DC, September 11, 2002
Given the riveting effect that the attacks have had on the Nation, it is appropriate on this anniversary to spend a few moments to reflect on the implications of those horrendous events. In the aftermath of the attacks, the security surrounding the Nation's critical infrastructure, including the Nation's commercial nuclear power plants, has become a central concern. I have been particularly gratified to have played a part in the collaborative work that has occurred among the Federal government, State and local officials, and licensees and industry working groups to ensure that the already robust protection of these facilities was further enhanced. All levels of government, as well as NRC licensees, have made significant contributions to bolster defenses against the increased threat of a terrorist attack. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to them. The events of September 11 have also had a broader impact. We all look at the world in a different way. Society is wary of potential terrorist activities and is concerned about the facilities that they might be interested in attacking. This heightened alertness is manifested in the increased reporting by members of the public of possible suspicious activities in the vicinity of nuclear plants. It is also clear that the threat of terrorism will be an abiding issue for the long term. As a result, there is a demand for action by government to preserve the security of its citizens.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2002
-
Letter to Ms. Mar Lampert, Massachusetts Citizens for Safe Energy, Duxbury Nuclear Advisory Committee, from Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, January 22, 2002
This letter is a response on behalf of the NRC to an earlier letter from Ms. Lampert, in which she expressed concerns regarding the security of nuclear power plants in the wake of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2002
-
Statement Submitted by the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives, Concerning Nuclear Power Plant Security(1)
Shortly after the second airplane crash into the World Trade Center on September 11, the NRC activated its Emergency Operations Center and the Regions activated their Incident Response Centers. They immediately issued a notice to advise all nuclear power plants, non-power reactors, nuclear fuel facilities, gaseous diffusion plants, and decommissioning reactors to go to the highest level of security and they promptly did. Their licensees have remained at the highest level of security alert since that time. The NRC has maintained a steady flow of information with all licensees through some 20 updates to the original threat advisory, regular communications between the Regional Administrators and licensees, audits of licensee activities, and numerous interactions with various stakeholders. The NRC's Executive Team meets on a regular basis to discuss their interactions with other government agencies, any changes in the current threat environment, and any additional actions that should be considered. Commissioners are engaged in the process; they receive frequent briefings and provide the chairman with the benefit of their views. The NRC emphasizes that there has been no credible threat against NRC-licensed facilities since September 11. However, they have maintained 24-hour per day operation of NRC's Emergency Operations Center. This effort has principally involved their safeguards team. This group receives a substantial and steady flow of information from the intelligence community, law enforcement, and licensees that requires prompt evaluation to determine whether to advise licensees about any changes in the threat environment in general or for a particular plant.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2001-12-05
-
Letter to The Honorable Edward J. Markey, United States House of Representatives, from Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, March 4, 2002
This letter is a response on behalf of the NRC to earlier letters from Congressman Markey, regarding actions taken by the NRC and the nuclear industry in response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2002
-
Nuclear Energy Security Issues in the Post-September 11 World: Physical Security, Safety, Reliability of Supply: Remarks of Chairman Richard A. Meserve, United States Regulatory Commission, before th Sociedad Nuclear Espanola (Spanish Nuclear Society), Valencia, Spain, 26 October 2001
Just last year, King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia visited Washington. The date was February 23 -- the anniversary of the day, now 20 years ago, when the King courageously and selflessly rescued Spanish democracy. As I am sure you know, he won the enduring gratitude and admiration not only of his own countrymen and women, but of people all over the world who cherish liberty. On the eve of the King's arrival in Washington, ETA terrorists ruthlessly murdered a member of the Basque regional parliament in the presence of his own son. They also murdered one of his escorts. Speaking in Washington the next day, the King denounced the crime, and he uttered a profound warning. He said "terrorism is a scourge that affects each and every one of us and, to fight against it, democratic societies must join efforts and necessarily strengthen the indispensable international cooperation." At the time, most people in my country probably did not fully appreciate just how urgent that message was. We surely do today. The King also commented that the terrorists, in murdering an elected parliament member, were really attacking the democratic process that chose him. Again, his remarks were prophetic. The September 11 terrorists, in ruthlessly attacking ordinary men and women, were really waging war on freedom itself, on the whole idea of a democratic, egalitarian, open society.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2001
-
Nuclear Security Issues in the Post-September 11 Environment: Dr. Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, before the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Atlanta, Gerogia, November 8, 2001
The protection of licensed facilities against sabotage is by no means a new issue for the NRC or its licensees, as you well know. For decades, security against sabotage has been an important part of the NRC's regulatory activities and our licensee's responsibilities, applying defense in depth as the guiding principle. This begins at the design stage, with facilities that are capable of withstanding many of the challenges that either safety events or safeguards events, such as armed assaults, might bring to bear. Nuclear facilities are among the most robustly built structures in existence. Secondly, we require careful background checks to minimize the risk of insider assistance and have access controls, delay barriers, and intrusion detection systems to detect and deter potential attackers. Thirdly, we require that licensees be able to respond with force to a group of armed attackers using protective strategies involving layers of defense. This system of multiple protections has long been in place. But that is not sufficient reason for assuming that "business as usual" is an acceptable response to the events of September 11. What occurred on that date was an attack by suicidal terrorists bent on maximizing damage in the course of their own self-destruction. September 11 has served as a wake-up call to America about the threat of terrorist attacks. I am sure that all of you in the nuclear industry are particularly aware of the heightened public sensitivity to the possible vulnerability of nuclear plants in this changed environment.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2001
-
What the National Energy Strategy Means for the Nuclear Power Industry: Remarks of Dr. Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, before the Energy Investor Policy & Regulation Conference, New York City, December 4, 2001
In the aftermath of the attacks, many immediately asked about the consequences if a large airliner, fully loaded with jet fuel, had crashed into a nuclear power plant. We had to say candidly that we were not sure. We know that reactor containments are extremely robust, that nuclear plants benefit from redundant safety equipment, that operators are trained to respond to unusual events and that carefully designed emergency plans are in place. Nuclear power plants are certainly far more capable to respond to an aircraft attack than other civilian infrastructure. But the NRC had never previously had reasons to perform a detailed engineering analysis of the consequences of a deliberate attack by a large airliner. We are performing those analyses today. Certainly the various steps to improve air security generally should serve to reduce any current risk. Since long before September 11th, the NRC has required the operators of nuclear power plants to have in place a strong defense to other types of possible terrorist attacks. Although the details are understandably classified, this typically involves a fenced perimeter, intrusion detection devices, access barriers, heavily armed and carefully trained guard forces, and a comprehensive defensive strategy. This program is subject to comprehensive NRC regulatory requirements and detailed inspection, including periodic force-on-force exercises. Nuclear power plants have long had defensive capabilities that far exceed those of other civilian infrastructure.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2001
-
Letter to The Honorable Harry Reid, United States Senate, from Richard A. Meserve, Chairman, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, November 28, 2001
This letter highlights the extensive focus on the security of the nuclear facilities the NRC regulates. The NRC has worked around the clock to ensure security at those facilities, which launched a top-to-bottom review of their security requirements. Enclosed is a list of fundamental difficulties in regards to the enactment of The Nuclear Security Act of 2001.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Meserve, Richard A.
2001
1
