Regardless of the externalities present in the Nuclear Fuel Cycle “there is widespread speculation that, even though the process is ostensibly dedicated to producing electricity, it is in fact a cover for building nuclear weapons” (Moore, 2006). This fear renders nuclear energy a huge liability as nuclear technology for energy purposes is a feared cover for nuclear proliferation in many unstable developing countries. In conjunction with international terrorism threats remains the fear of domestic attacks on nuclear reactors and waste storage facilities. These locations house large nuclear potential and present clear and dangerous targets for potential terrorist action.
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While some may consider a terrorist attack the biggest security threat to our nuclear power plants it is actually the potential for theft from the inside that poses the biggest security challenge. While every employee is screened by the government for this high security position there is the potential for theft. The government feels that this is the biggest security threat because terrorist attacks like those on 9/11 would do little to harm a nuclear plant. The Twin Towers and the Pentagon were large buildings compared to the size of reactors and reactors are made of extremely thick concrete and steel walls in order to protect from meltdown and would stand a chance, albeit slight, against an aerial attack (Childress , 2009). At the same time, the nuclear fuel used in reactors is not of military grade and would be difficult to produce a significant nuclear weapon.