The FBI raided the training camp two days after (June 26th 1993) the second plot to bomb multiple targets in New York was foiled. But, the FBI had not informed the NRC or TMI of the proximity of the training camp. The NRC had been notified about the threat to attack nuclear targets four months earlier but not the location of the terrorists' camp!
This is an outrageous oversight for five reasons. (1) The World Trade Center bombers threatened to attack "nuclear targets" with "150 suicide soldiers" in a letter to the New York Times. The letter was received four days after the bombing and authenticated by federal authorities. (2) The anniversary of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident would occur only several days after the letter was authenticated. (3) The world-famous plant just had security weaknesses exposed to the world by the intruder. (CNN broadcast news of the intrusion.) (4) Law officers observed the terrorists conducting a night-time mock assault on an electrical power substation near the training camp. (5) At the time of the FBI raid at the training camp, the FBI believed there was still a third cell of terrorists at large. Since the bombers were actively preparing to carry out additional attacks, the FBI's failure to alert the NRC and TMI is alarming.
Scott Portzline said, "Eighteen hours after the raid, I telephoned the NRC Emergency Response Center to suggest that TMI be required to activate their "12-hour contingency plan" for truck bomb protection. The call was handled very thoroughly with the official asking me to repeat the information two more times as he accurately echoed a summarization. Ninety minutes later, the Emergency Response Center called back to say that the information was confirmed by the FBI and wire reports.
The official said that my request was being treated with diligence and that he had talked with other NRC staff who knew me and were familiar with my testimonies to the US Senate and the NRC regarding security issues. He assured me that I could rest knowing that the matter was now under careful deliberation."
But, the NRC refused to err on the side of caution and Three Mile Island did not activate their plan!
"America's Defense Monitor" (PBS) The Center for Defense Information |
In 1989 the NRC instructed licensees to develop a plan which could be activated within 12 hours of notification by the NRC. There is one other inexcusable problem regarding TMI's contingency plan -- it didn't exist.
Eight months after the FBI raid on the camp, Three Mile Island Alert and the Nuclear Control Institute presented testimony to the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards for their debate on whether or not vehicle barriers should be required. The NRC had not informed the committee of the proximity of the camp.
