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Research remains a powerful tool for helping us raise awareness of nuclear safety. The issues we are studying include the following:
STAR is evaluating the vulnerability of the New York area's three nuclear power sites to terrorist attacks and will examine the possible consequences and propose solutions. This evaluation will explore short- and long-term options for reducing the threat of terrorism or other malicious acts. But STAR's involvement reaches even further. As a result of electric utility deregulation, a growing number of nuclear power plants are owned by multi-tiered holding companies that are structured similarly to the failed Enron Corporation. All the reactors that ring the New York City area are presently owned by limited-liability corporations. The NRC is currently proposing to reduce the financial disclosure requirements used to determine whether these companies have the necessary resources to safely operate nuclear reactors and improve their defense against acts of terrorism. Our evaluation will assess the need for changes in NRC regulations and propose specific actions to ensure that these companies demonstrate the financial ability to protect public safety from terrorist attacks. Furthermore, we believe there is a better way to protect spent fuel. STAR is funding and coordinating a panel of top nuclear scientists to study this issue and to design an aggressive program that would protect spent nuclear fuel in hardened steel and concrete containers on a level that matches the threat. STAR is also researching and promoting options for energy replacement. Our guidelines are simple:
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