DOMESTIC SAFEGUARDS IN THE NUCLEAR INDUSTRY

The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 brought about markedly increased security requirements at nuclear power plants. NRC established a threat level against which the security forces were expected to defend, including an \"inside threat.\" To deal with the \"insider,\" the NRC imposed an extensive guard training program, the introduction of weapons other than handguns, and the \"two -man\" rule. The author asserts that an inadequate legal basis exists for the NRC requirement that nuclear plants be defended by the use of deadly force, if necessary, and that complex issues such as apprehension, retention, and pursuit of intruders are left vague. He proposes security measures patterned after the airline industry, resolution of the deadly force issue, and definition of a creditable threat level.