NRC votes to phase out agency-led security drills at all 93 U.S. reactors

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to phase out its agency-led force-on-force security exercises at all 93 operating U.S. nuclear reactors by 2028, shifting responsibility for conducting the drills to plant operators under independent NRC oversight. The overhaul reflected a 50% reduction in security inspection resources. The NRC said plants would run their own drills with the agency providing oversight rather than leading the mock attacks. Safety advocates warned the change eliminated independent verification of nuclear plant security that had been in place since the September 11 attacks.