RPI reactor security
Over the course of the past few months, ABC News sent 10 students out to college campuses across the nation that had nuclear research reactors. Of the 25 ABC investigated, many had inadequate vehicle checks, tours of sensitive locations, unlocked doors, and lackadaisical security overall.
RPI’s L. David Walthousen Lab was one of the facilities examined. Built in 1964, it uses low-enriched uranium fuel to produce a power level of about .10 kW and is used for educational and research purposes only.
ABC found no fatal flaws in the security, though they observed no guards and the students were able to wander around in front of the reactor for about 30 minutes on two occasions unnoticed. Director of Media Relations Theresa Bourgeois would not comment to ABC on the details of the lab’s security, but said they had been upgraded.
In the wake of the investigation, members of the House and Senate have expressed concerns about the possibility of terrorist attacks on the facilities. The Nuclear Regulatory Agency also opened investigation into a number of the schools involved and is also reviewing reactor security procedures at other educational facilities.
EHS director named
Peter Collopy ’71 will begin serving as the Director of Environmental Health and Safety beginning November 14. He has extensive experience in nuclear fuel decommissioning and demolition contracting, and a history of improving Nuclear Regulatory Commission violations and radiation safety in general.
With a master’s and bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering and as a board certified health physicist, he will be working with the staff at RPI’s Linear Accelerator, in particular, and dealing with general safety issues campus-wide.
Troy bar cited
Under the 2000 Troy nuisance abatement law, local authorities are considering closing Hudson Duster, a bar in downtown Troy, one year after the fatal beating of a man in front of the bar. The bar’s bouncer is now charged with negligent homicide, and has been denied bail.
Under the law, Troy properties are assigned “points” for certain types of violations—such as drug possession, noise levels, gambling, and unkempt premises. Violation of the ordinance is a misdemeanor, carrying a penalty of $1000 in fines, or six months in jail. Additionally, establishments that accumulate over 12 points in six months or 18 points in a year can be closed for up to a year. This law was used before to close the Eldorado hotel and bar, which is located two blocks south of the Hudson Duster.
