Studies by federal and independent
researchers and even the nuclear power industry confirm that at most
plants, these spent fuel pools are the largest and most vulnerable
targets. An attack or accidental loss of cooling water could
release radioactivity causing thousands of deaths and injuries, and
contaminating thousands of square miles. This is no secret to foreign
or homegrown terrorists.
Despite industry claims, nuclear plants
are lightly defended, in military terms, relative to the level of potential
attacks. In fact, the industry and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
insist that U.S. armed forces not plant owners are responsible for
protecting against all but the most modest of attack scenarios.
