Nuclear Plants Provide Power And Protection (NAPSA)—The next time you turn on a light, an appliance or a computer, you can thank America’s nuclear power plants which, experts explain, not only provide the electricity for all these things and more, but protect us three ways. 1. Because these plants produce energy for the nation, they help reduce our dependence on oil and gas from volatile parts of the world like the Middle East. 2. Nuclear power protects the environment. Unlike other energy sources, it produces no greenhouse gas emissions and virtually no air pollution. 3. The people who build and run the plants have had many yearsof experience keeping Americanssafe. The methods used in building and running nuclear power plants not only protect the public from exposure to radioactive material, they make plants unattractive for sabotage. The Federal Bureau of Investigation considers security forces and infrastructure at nuclear power plants formidable. Here are just a few of the safety steps the nuclear power industry has taken: All commercial nuclear powerplants have well-armed and highly trained security forces that are routinely drilled and tested. Access to the protected areas of nuclear powerplants is controlled by security officers who search all entering vehicles and people. Employees with “unescorted access authorization” are under continual behavioral observation programs. All commercial nuclear plants have emergency operating procedures and contingency plans evalu- Increased use of nuclear power can reduce our dependence on Middle Eastoil. ated during drills. Expert teams from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission observe and evaluate these drills. Some people have proposed new nuclear security legislation, but experts point out that making security officers federal employees does not necessarily improve upon the strict hiring standards, background checks, training and performance reviews already in place. Qualifications outlined in the bill are so broad as to be less stringent than those already in place at many powerproviders. Many Americans are suggest- ing to their legislators that as far as public safety is concerned: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Anyone can write, on either side of this or any issue, to the U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510 and the House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515. To learn more about nuclear power and howit protects us, see the Web site of Entergy Corporation, a major global energy company, at www.entergy.com.
