Entergy Nuclear Announces Security Exercises at Indian Point

WHITE PLAINS -- Entergy Nuclear will be participating in an NRC- evaluated security exercise the week of Sept. 18 at the company's Indian Point Energy Center, in Buchanan, N.Y.

"The exercise, which the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will evaluate, provides us the opportunity to demonstrate for the regulator our security and defense capabilities and look for areas to improve," said IPEC site vice president Fred Dacimo.

In 2003, after volunteering, Entergy was among the first nuclear-power sites in the country to participate in a "force-on-force" exercise that the NRC was conducting as a pilot project. The NRC was developing at that time an ongoing security program to evaluate security enhancements that were added after 9/11 to protect against an expanded terrorist threat.

Following the 2003 exercise, former commission chairman Nils J. Diaz wrote in a letter to local officials that Indian Point has a "strong defensive strategy and capability," and that the security force had "successfully protected the plant from repeated mock-adversary attacks."

Force-on-force exercises involve attempts to gain access to plants in a simulated terrorist attack, and the response of defending security forces.

During the drills and exercise, persons near the site may hear the sound of simulated gunfire or other loud noises as participants carry out scenarios that are intended to be as realistic as possible.

"We are informing the public now about these events so there is no undue alarm caused by what they may hear around the site," Dacimo said. Local officials and law enforcement agencies have been informed of the events. The exercises are expected to take place in the evening as well as during daylight hours.

Only persons with top federal security clearances will be allowed to observe the exercise. "Please do not go to Indian Point," Dacimo implores the public. "Persons attempting to enter the property could interfere with the drills or place themselves in danger, and could be arrested. While we would like to be able to publicly demonstrate our skills and defensive plan, in the interest of maintaining the highest possible level of security, we simply cannot."

Security experts will analyze the participants' actions at each step of the exercise to determine how responses might be improved or applied to other facilities.

Entergy will be using a technical innovation for the exercise known as "MILES" gear, or Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems. Participants using MILES gear are connected wirelessly to a central computer. They use laser "bullets" and vests with laser-detection equipment, and duplicate the effects, including the sound, of live ammunition. The movement and shooting accuracy of the security officers and other exercise data are collected by the computer for analysis. MILES gear is used for military and counter-terrorism training across the country to be as realistic as possible without using real bullets.

Entergy has engaged the services of Giuliani Partners, formed by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, as consultants on security and emergency planning. The Giuliani team is assisting Entergy in preparing for the exercise.

Entergy's security plan for Indian Point has been praised by top security experts around the country, including the FBI, U.S. Office of Homeland Security, and the New York State Office of Public Security.

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