Studies by federal and independent researchers – and even the nuclear
power industry – confirm that at most plants, “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.
