The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 focused attention on energy security from
several directions. A public poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide showed a dramatic
increase in the number of Americans who see increasing domestic energy production
as a key to protecting our national security. The survey clearly showed that
Americans feel a new unease about their personal security and are looking to
government to protect them from future acts of terrorism. Security was tightened
at power plants, refineries, and pipelines while producers and utilities attempted
to communicate reassurances to customers. Nevertheless, the Union of Concerned
Scientists warned that security rules of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission were
made obsolete on Sept. 11 because they currently do not require power plants
to be protected against attacks by aircraft, boats, or trucks. Pending plans
to transfer all responsibility for security at the nation's 104 nuclear plants
to owners came under new criticism. Paul Leventhal, Pres. of the Nuclear Control
Institute said the government should station National Guard troops and anti-aircraft
units at all nuclear plants until the terrorist threat is controlled.
Senate Energy Committee chair, Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) first delayed further discussion
of the Bush national energy policy to concentrate on immediate concerns for
safety of nuclear power plants and the far flung interstate system of power
lines and gas pipe lines. Recently he announced that hearings on the policy
debate will reconvene after Oct. 14. He said, "I am confident that Congress
and the Administration will come together to combine thoughtful, forward looking
analysis of our current energy challenges with a willingness to take bold steps
to address them." Whatever the outcome, it appears that FERC will be given
a leading role in helping to increase domestic fuel production to reduce dependency
upon uncertain oil from the Persian Gulf. Incoming Chair, Pat Wood reported
the agency's highest priority was to help natural gas, oil, and electricity
firms tighten security for their pipelines and transmission lines. The agency
said it would expedite claims to recover costs of new security measures that
might be needed.
Leaders of the three major energy production associations, America Petroleum
Institute, American Gas Association, and Edison Electric Association, all said
their members were in a better position to detect and prevent a problem because
of systems installed to deal with the potential Year 2000 (Y2K) issues. "One
of the dividends of Y2K is the benefit of being able to check the integrity
of all our systems and the ability to isolate problems if they develop,"
said Red Cavaney, Pres. of API. Edison Electric Institute has organized a special
task force that will examine existing security measures then "turn inside
out to find areas that may need improvement."