Last week during my seminar, "Health effects of nuclear radiation: it's time to get real", at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology, I asked a student to open Google and search "Natural Gas Explosion". He immediately received about 1,600,000 entries.
I wonder if the Senate Committee Chairman realises that by her logic, every single NG outlet and distribution pipe needs to be defended against the possibility of terrorist acts.....
Seems to me that
a dozen suicidal terrorists could esily blow up an entire city block or WTC.....
Jaro
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Charges for suicidal man in gas blast
Tue Feb 6 2007
NEW CASTLE, Pa. - A man who police said deliberately caused a natural gas leak in a suicide bid, leading to an explosion that damaged dozens of homes, has been charged with
arson, aggravated assault and other offenses.
Police charged Patrick Henry on Monday for the Nov. 27 blast that severely burned him and two friends who went to check on him when he missed work.
The explosion caused more than $1.3 million in damage to nearly four dozen houses in New Castle, about 45 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. Nine homes had to be leveled.
Henry, 30, remained jailed Tuesday on a parole violation charge and was to be arraigned on the new charges Thursday.
It was not immediately clear if he had an attorney.
=========================================
From: "U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer" <bulletinfeedback@boxer.senate.gov>
To: marc832@mindspring.com
Subject: Senator Boxer: Nuclear Plants Should be Secured
Date: Fri, 2
Feb 2007
Dear Friend:
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) recently announced that
it would not require nuclear power plant operators to take
action to protect their reactors from a 9/11-style attack using
aircraft as weapons. The NRC's statement claimed that
protection against such attacks should be addressed by "other
federal organizations, including the military."
In response to this announcement, I recently wrote to NRC
Chairman Dale Klein. As Chairman of the Senate's Committee on
Environment and Public Works, I expressed my severe
reservations about the NRC announcement. I am pleased to offer
the text of my letter below for your
information.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
============================================
Dear Chairman Klein:
I understand the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) may
shortly act to issue a final rulemaking to amend the design
basis threat (DBT) regulations. As Chairman of the Senate
Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, I write to share
my views with the Commission on this matter.
In my view, the NRC must ensure that the security of nuclear
plants is enhanced in a way that is consistent with post-9/11
threats. Title VI of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 includes
language negotiated by the EPW Committee on a bipartisan basis.
Specifically, Section 651 directs the NRC to commence a
rulemaking to upgrade the design basis threat (DBT) and take
into account 12 factors, including attacks of a magnitude of
9/11, attacks by large groups, and attacks by air.
Given reports
that al Qaeda considered nuclear plant targets
prior to carrying out the September 11, 2001 attacks on our
country, it is critically important that the NRC act to address
these factors. The communities that surround existing plants
need to be confident that the NRC, as the regulator charged
with nuclear safety, did all it could to ensure that plants
defend against current security threats. In particular,
communities should be assured that plants are prepared to
defend against large attacking forces and commercial aircraft.
I raise these concerns because, in its proposed rule, the NRC
acknowledged the direction given by Congress rather than
addressing the factors in the rulemaking proposal. The
Commission instead invited public comment on "whether or how
the 12 factors should be addressed in the DBT rule." It is my
hope that the final
rule will clearly state that the NRC
followed the law and address the factors outlined by Congress.
The Commission's statutory duty is to public health and safety.
As you know, the NRC's actions on the DBT is a matter of
significant interest for the EPW Committee as it conducts both
its legislative and oversight responsibilities. I am following
this matter very closely, and will expect the NRC to explain
its final actions on the DBT when it next appears before the
Committee.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer, Chairman
U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
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