Tougher security at N-plants

Press, 24 February 1977, Page 7

Tougher security at N-plants

NZPA Washington The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has unveiled orders for every United States atomic power plant to hire more guards, install surveillance equipment, and take othes new measures to thwart armed sabotage attempts. A senior N.R.C. official estimated that the improved security will cost each of the nation’s 69 licensed or planned plants about SUS2M. He said that any piant which does not compiv will oe shut down. Under the new order, utility companies must be able .0 transform their nuclear plants into fortresses cap- i able of standing off attack by “several” dedicated ter-, rorists with military training • and automatic weapons. | Plant guards and “armed' response force personnel” — technicians selected to be-i come defenders in event of a sabotage attempt — would: be authorised to shoot to kill if necessary. Weapons j for plant defence would range up to semi-automatic I rifles. Mr Bernard Rusche, the I N.R.C. reactor regulations I chief, said that the intensified security was considered necessary to keep terrorists from getting into■ atomic power plants and: blowing up reactors or; otherwise releasing radio-1 activity- I