Lawmaker presses for increase security measures
HARRISBURG – Despite the state spending $200 million on security improvements this fiscal year in response to last year’s terrorist attacks, a leading state lawmaker says more needs to be done to protect Pennsylvanians against possible future attacks. State Rep. Mike Veon, a Democrat from Beaver County, wants to expand the emergency response zone around the state’s five nuclear power plants, from a 10-mile radius to a 50-mile radius. Residents in the zone could be ordered by the governor to stay in their homes, evacuate their homes or take other actions if an accident or attack occurred at the plant.
“We’re no longer simply talking about a leak or other accident, which experts have said could give enough of [warning] time to evacuate [the area], but rather an imminent or surprise attack, which would give little warning by definition,” said Veon, the House Minority Whip.
But some officials say that’s unnecessary.
In the event of an emergency, the emergency planning zone could be expanded beyond the 10 miles, said Diane Screnci, spokeswoman for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency that oversees nuclear power plants.
“The commission has long held that having detailed emergency planning for 10 miles was sufficient and appropriate to protect peoples’ health and safety,” she said. “Radiation doses from an accident are not expected to put people in danger of poisoning outside of the 10 miles.”
Even if state officials wanted to expand the zone, they might not be able to, said John Comey, executive assistant to the director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
“It would be a legal issue whether or not the state could change that because nuclear power plants are federally licensed,” he said. “The emergency zone is a federal policy, not a state policy.”
Other proposals made by Veon include:
? Creating a permanent 1,000-member special security force within the state’s National Guard to patrol the state’s nuclear power plants around the clock. Soldiers have been temporarily assigned to protect the plants.
? Mandating that soldiers guarding the state’s nuclear power plants carry loaded weapons. Veon said he’s received reports from soldiers that they’re not allowed to have their weapons loaded.
? Completing a risk assessment study at chemical plants and, if problems exist, implementing stricter security standards.
? Creating stronger “whistleblower protections” for employees at nuclear facilities and chemical plants who disclose security lapses or safety and health hazards to an employer or government agency.
? Increasing state government regulation of private security guards, who Veon says “are undermanned, underpaid, underequipped and undertrained.”
Veon said he will soon be introducing legislation to expand the evacuation zone and make other security changes. He’s being trying to implement some of his proposals, such as the special security force, for several months. Veon said the cost of his ideas – $25