Safety and Security

Sturdy design and construction | Experienced employees | Comprehensive emergency plan | Strong security program

The nuclear energy industry has always had the highest security standards of any American industry. The industry is required to meet regulations set by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission - a federal government agency that oversees all U.S. nuclear power operations. In many cases, our security measures surpass the requirements.

Sturdy design and construction

Buildings that contain nuclear fuel and safety equipment are designed and constructed to be heavily fortified. The buildings are capable of withstanding severe impacts from natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes, and from manmade sources, such as jet aircraft.

Other building safety features include

• steel-reinforced concrete walls several feet thick for structures containing nuclear fuel and safety equipment
• a steel-lined pool with back-up cooling water sources for used fuel storage and
• multiple and redundant safety systems that protect the reactor and fuel buildings.

Experienced employees

Experienced employees are the plant's best safety guardians and understand that safety is their primary responsibility. Most employees live in the surrounding communities and are dedicated to ensuring safe operations for their families, friends and neighbors.

Our personnel

• are highly skilled in operating our plants with specialized training, including emergency response, and
• reflect a "safety-first" culture, resulting in an excellent safety and reliability performance record at some of the best performing plants in the country.

Comprehensive emergency plan

FPL's nuclear power plants have a 30-year record of safe operations, but it makes sense to have a plan in place in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Our plan is comprehensive, involving

• coordinated drills with local, state and federal agencies
• on-site and off-site emergency response facilities and
• public awareness programs.
• purpose of our plans is to protect public health and safety in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Strong security program

FPL has a strong security program to provide protection for its employees and the public. Our plans have always been designed to counter the threat of terrorist attacks. Security programs are continually assessed in consultation with all levels of law enforcement to provide for modifications as conditions may change.

Our security plan includes

• armed security forces that conduct security drills regularly with challenging scenarios
• well-trained and highly qualified security officers
• close communication with local, state and federal agencies, including the FBI, to ensure that we are receiving the most up-to-date intelligence information
• employee background investigations and personnel evaluations, as well as highly restricted plant access involving personnel screening and entry check points
• security measures that stop intruders, including physical barrier systems, such as concrete barriers and crash resistant gates, high-tech intrusion detection and alarm systems.