NRC Mandates Force-on-Force Security Drills at All U.S. Nuclear Plants

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a final rule requiring mandatory triennial force-on-force security exercises at all operating nuclear power reactors, following recommendations from a post-September 11 security review. The exercises involve mock commando-style attacks conducted under NRC oversight to test whether plant security forces can repel simulated armed assaults. The rule was part of a broader post-9/11 overhaul of nuclear facility security that also increased requirements for armed response teams and access controls.