Bridge the Gap, a non-profit org specializing in nuclear safety issues, sent a proposal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in 2004 to toughen up their security measures and to build steel cages around nuclear reactors in an effort to deflect the impact of a plane. The NRC's response?

NRC officials said the requested precautions are not needed because reactors already have ``adequate protection'' against attacks by airliners. ... ...enhanced firefighting and evacuation procedures put in place after 2001 are sufficient to deal with potential releases of radiation from fires and explosions. NRC officials said protections against air attack -- fighter planes and anti-aircraft weapons -- are the primary responsibility of other federal organizations, such as the military.

Now, i haven't read Bridge the Gap's proposals nor do i know anything about nuclear power plant safety. Mebbe their proposal is completely wacky and impractical. Mebbe steel cages is not going to do squat against a jetliner. How should i know?

I just want to point out that the NRC's response is not exactly reassuring. It boils down to "good enough" and "not our responsibility". I guess none of the NRC officials live near a nuclear reactor so it doesn't really matter much to them either way. Thanks guys. Good lookin' out.