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For Immediate Release
September 21, 2006 |
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GAO Finds Need to Disperse
Nuclear and Radiological Prevention and Response Assets, Encourage
US Cities to Conduct Radiation Surveys
Washington, D.C. – The Government Accountability Office
(GAO) today released its report on combating nuclear terrorism,
finding the Department of Energy (DoE) needs to review its
security measures at key emergency response facilities and
DoE and DHS need to evaluate the benefit of using more aerial
background radiation surveys of urban areas. The study was
requested by Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman
of the Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats
and International Relations.
“A nuclear or radiological attack on a US city could
have disastrous effects,” Shays said. “This GAO
report underscores the importance of DoE’s nuclear and
radiological prevention and response capabilities and the
value of aerial background radiation surveys of urban areas.
We need to disperse our response capabilities, so one attack
doesn’t destroy them. And DoE and DHS need to better
coordinate their efforts so that cities can take advantage
of radiation surveys to compare radiation levels in order
to detect threats and better address contamination levels
after an attack. These are important steps and we need to
move forward with the GAO’s recommendations quickly.”
The report, entitled “Combating Nuclear Terrorism:
Federal Efforts to Respond to Nuclear and Radiological Threats
and to Protect Emergency Response Capabilities Could Be Strengthened,”
recommended:
1. “DoE review the physical security measures at its
two key emergency response facilities to determine whether
additional measures should be taken to protect the facilities;”
and
2. “DoE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
evaluate the costs, benefits, and limitations of making greater
use of aerial background radiation surveys of U.S. cities.”
A summary
of the findings can be found here and the full
report can be found here.
This Congress, Shays has held three hearings on nuclear security,
including “Nuclear Security: Has the NRC Strengthened
Facility Standards Since 9/11?” (April 4, 2006), “DOE/ESE
Security: How Ready is the Protective Force?” (July
26, 2005) and “Elusive Antidotes: Progress Developing
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Countermeasures”
(June 14, 2005).
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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