Security
Security at Indian Point
Ensuring Security at Every Level
Indian Point facility is protected
by a series of security perimeters.
The security of a plant lies in the personnel and physical barriers put in place to prevent and protect the plant from an attack of any kind—by land, air or water. Nuclear facilities are some of the most well-protected power generation sites in the country.
Inside the Perimeter
Indian Point is safe against natural and man-made events for several reasons. We provide protection at the plant through a highly trained security force, detection capabilities and physical barriers, and a highly qualified brigade of first responders and local, state and federal security agencies.
Constant patrols
remain on duty.
Physical security begins with significant fencing around the property perimeter and another functional fence around another internal area. Double fencing with barbed wire at various perimeters is equipped with television monitors. Roadways are controlled by multiple barricades.
There are also several security barriers on-site within each building and only a limited number of employees are able to access to the highly restricted areas. Assuming one has the authority to access sensitive areas, there are cameras, stationary and patrolling armed guards, turn-styles, and digital access points, which make it nearly impossible for any individual to go unnoticed.
The containment structure, while it plays a significant safety role, also plays a major security role as well. In addition to the numerous safety measures in place from to protect contain the materials in the reactor core, the rugged and robust physical structure also plays a key role in securing keeping the core from outside attacks of any kind. Studies have shown that nuclear plant containment structures can survive direct crashes of aircraft.
Security Personnel
The plants and property at Indian Point Energy Center are monitored around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by well-trained, armed security guards, both at guard stations and in constant patrols. Our security force rivals the size of most local law enforcement troops, and are among the most highly trained officers in the country. They attend fire range practice on a regular basis.
Security ensures that access to the controlled property is restricted to identifiable personnel only. Employees must pass an in-depth security background check and undergo a lengthy entry and exit search process at our security checkpoint. Within the plants, access to sensitive areas is even further restricted.
NRC Drills
High-tech military training
is used to simulate
terrorist attacks.
As a part of the rigorous training process for all security personnel, Indian Point, like all Entergy nuclear facilities, implements drills that are monitored and graded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This rigorous training is part of the reason that nuclear plants are regarded as the most secure industrial facilities in the nation. The training drills include:
- Force-on-Force Drills
These drills involve intensive exercises where plant security personnel are armed with special laser weapons (no ammunition is used) and body gear that will let the user know when he/she has been hit. During the exercise, former members of U.S. military special forces units attempt to infiltrate the facility and reach the most sensitive areas of IPEC. These drills are as real-to-life as a drill can possibly be. Pilgrim has received superior ratings for each of the drills it has conducted.
- Tabletop Drills
In between the force-on-force drills, security personnel also participate in tabletop exercises on a quarterly basis. Tabletop drills gather responders, normally in separate locations, into a single room and asks them to respond to simulated events. This format allows responders to learn how their counterparts in other facilities perform actions and confront problems. In addition, the effort provides an opportunity for team building. Ongoing use of tabletop drills, such as those conducted during the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) pilot drill program, facilitate the development of key skills which would be used in response to security event-based scenarios.
Outside the Perimeter
New security boats are part
of the facility security upgrades.
A “first layer” of protection is now provided by the federal government and its powerful security resources—including military air cover and aircraft interdiction, the National Guard patrolling on-site, and the Coast Guard patrolling adjacent waters.
In 2006, Entergy invested $1million in the construction of a new dock for the Coast Guard which patrols the Hudson as a means of protection and frequently docks its boat at Indian Point.