New Security Weighed for Nuclear Sites

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After a rash of security lapses, the Energy Department is looking to create an elite force of federal guards to protect plutonium and weapons-usable uranium from terrorists, while also preparing plans to move some of the material to more secure areas.

Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham (news - web sites) on Friday outlined a sweeping set of proposals to increase security at nearly a dozen government facilities that hold highly radioactive material that could be used to fashion a crude nuclear device.


These materials "must not be allowed to fall into the wrong hands," declared Abraham in a speech to security guards participating in a skills competition at the department's Savannah River complex near Aiken, S.C.


Abraham cited "poor performance" in mock security exercises at some weapons sites and other lapses — such as lost keys to secure areas — and shortcomings in training to buttress his call for new security measures. Although rare, he said, such lapses are unacceptable.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=542&e=5&u=/ap/20040508/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/nuclear_security

[shraby]

1. They are just now

getting around to protecting sites like that???????? Amazing! What will they think of protecting next. I would think those places would have been top priority along with planes, trains, chem. plants, refinerys and subways. Can't this administration think of more than one thing at a time???? :evilfrown: