Posted on 10/09/2001 1:22:52 PM PDT by freedom4ever
I work for a large midwestern utility, in a power plant, and this came from the Area Control Operations. It was an warning from the Dept. of Energy and NERC. I assume this is the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Comission. I must keep my company name quiet, but you can freepmail and if I know you I will tell you who it is.
Apparently, this afternoon, two New England nuclear power plants had attempted entries made. The entries were made by suspected terrorists on the FBI terrorist list. All power plants across the countries have been place on high alert. The email that came from my load center says,"We are under Dept. of Enrgy SECON 2 & NERC 3 alert." The time on the dispatch is 1:10:32 PM.
We tried to figure out how terrorists would destroy or damage a nuke plant. We couldn't. I guess it could be done. We work in a coal fired plant. We don't know much about nukes where we work.
E X E C U T I V E O R D E R 9 0 6 6 F e b r u a r y 19, 1942
WHEREAS the successful prosecution of the war required every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense materials, national-defense premises, and national-defense utilities, as defined:
NOW, THEREFORE, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated Commander deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any persons to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion. The Secretary of War is hereby authorized to provide for residents of any such area who are excluded therefrom, such transportation, food, shelter, and other accommodations as may be necessary, in the judgement of the Secretary of War, of the said Military Commander, and until other arrangements are made, to accomplish the purpose of this order. The designation of military areas in any region or locality shall supersede designations of prohibited and restricted areas by the Attorney General under the proclamations of December 7 and 8, 1941, and shall supersede the responsibility and authority of the Attorney General under the said Proclamations in respect of such prohibited and restricted areas.
I hereby further authorize and direct the Secretary of War and the said Military Commanders to take such other steps as he or the appropriate Military Commander may deem advisable to enforce compliance with the restrictions applicable to each Military area hereinabove authorized to be designated, including the use of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies, with authority to accept assistance of state and local agencies. I hereby further authorize and direct all Executive commanders in carrying out this Executive Order, including the furnishing of medical aid, hospitalization, food, clothing, transportation, use of land, shelter, and other supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services.
This order shall not be construed as modifying or limiting in any way the authority heretofore granted under Executive Order 8972, dated December 12, 1941, nor shall it be construed as limiting or modifying the duty and responsibility of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with respect to the investigation of alleged acts of sabotage or the duty and responsibility of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice under the Proclamations of December 7, and 8, 1941, prescribing regulations for the conduct and control of alien enemies, except as such duty and responsibility is superseded by the designation of military areas hereunder.
February 19,1942 | -Franklin D. Roosevelt |
However, minimal damage would either take the plant off-line; and the fear of 'what almost happened' would be more than enough to satisfy them. They are terroists first and foremost. But they are also fairly ignorant, incompetent, stupid and cowardly; and that all works against them.
Nice to see that both attempted entries were CAUGHT, anyway.
I hope these aren't folks who were released because their seven days were up, after Congress gutted Bush's antiterrorism package. Tell me it's not so.
The reason is that an action in on area often close to the middle of nowhere can disrupt life in large cities and bring an economy to its knees. Since Sept 11, most power stations and major grid transmission switching stations have been on heightened alert.
I have seen the increased security many many times over the past 20 years. This is a reasonable precaution and I would suspect it is not singling out nuclear plants or US facilities. On last nights news from Canada, a representative of B. C. Hydro (British Columbia) said that their hydro-electric facilities were on heightened security with the announcement of Canada joining the Coalition forces and mobilizing soldiers.
Way too many folks are too jumpy right now.
You are absolutely correct. All of these institutions down to our local water departments should remove all maps and layouts/plans of each plant. Install cameras to take pictures of anyone requesting info. Have those people return 48 hours later with appropriate police there to determine if their request is a legitimate request. There have been too many reports of people who fit the profile wanting plans and layouts of power plants and other vital infrastructures!
Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown
I am suspicious of this post since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is not named, which is the agency that is primarily concerned with nuclear plants, including their security. False alarm.
Why would terrorists show up and say they are so-and-so and give names that are on the terrorist list? Doesn't add up. How do the plant security guards know the name of who attempts to get in. If the attackers were captured, I don't think they would voluntarily give their names. More paranoia feeding.
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