Editing Nuclear power (section)

=== Attacks and sabotage ===
{{Main|Vulnerability of nuclear plants to attack|Nuclear terrorism|Nuclear safety in the United States}}
Terrorists could target [[nuclear power plant]]s in an attempt to release [[radioactive contamination]] into the community. The United States 9/11 Commission has said that nuclear power plants were potential targets originally considered for the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]]. An attack on a reactor's [[spent fuel pool]] could also be serious, as these pools are less protected than the reactor core. The release of radioactivity could lead to thousands of near-term deaths and greater numbers of long-term fatalities.<ref name="fas12">{{cite web |last1=Ferguson |first1=Charles D. |last2=Settle |first2=Frank A. |name-list-style=amp |year=2012 |title=The Future of Nuclear Power in the United States |url=https://fas.org/pubs/_docs/Nuclear_Energy_Report-lowres.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525170528/https://fas.org/pubs/_docs/Nuclear_Energy_Report-lowres.pdf |archive-date=2017-05-25 |access-date=2016-07-07 |website=Federation of American Scientists}}</ref>

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission carries out "Force on Force" (FOF) exercises at all nuclear power plant sites at least once every three years.<ref name=fas12 /> In the United States, plants are surrounded by a double row of tall fences which are electronically monitored. The plant grounds are patrolled by a sizeable force of armed guards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nuclear Security – Five Years After 9/11 |url=https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/security-enhancements.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715045132/http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/security-enhancements.html |archive-date=15 July 2007 |access-date=23 July 2007 |publisher=U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission}}</ref>

Insider sabotage is also a threat because insiders can observe and work around security measures. Successful insider crimes depended on the perpetrators' observation and knowledge of security vulnerabilities.<ref>{{cite web |author=Bunn |first1=Matthew |author-link=Matthew Bunn |last2=Sagan |first2=Scott |author2-link=Scott Sagan |name-list-style=amp |date=2014 |title=A Worst Practices Guide to Insider Threats: Lessons from Past Mistakes |url=https://www.amacad.org/content/publications/pubContent.aspx?d=1427 |publisher=The American Academy of Arts & Sciences}}</ref> A fire caused 5–10 million dollars worth of damage to New York's [[Indian Point Energy Center]] in 1971.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/14/archives/damage-is-put-at-millions-in-blaze-at-con-ed-plant-con-ed-damage.html|title=Damage Is Put at Millions In Blaze at Con Ed Plant|last=McFadden|first=Robert D.|date=1971-11-14|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-15|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2020-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115181457/https://www.nytimes.com/1971/11/14/archives/damage-is-put-at-millions-in-blaze-at-con-ed-plant-con-ed-damage.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The arsonist was a plant maintenance worker.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/30/archives/mechanic-seized-in-indian-pt-fire-con-ed-employe-accused-of-arson.html|title=Mechanic Seized in Indian Pt. Fire|last=Knight|first=Michael|date=1972-01-30|work=The New York Times|access-date=2020-01-15|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=2020-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115181500/https://www.nytimes.com/1972/01/30/archives/mechanic-seized-in-indian-pt-fire-con-ed-employe-accused-of-arson.html|url-status=live}}</ref>