K-State response to ABC News story on college nuclear reactors

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K-STATE RESPONSE TO ABC NEWS STORY ON COLLEGE NUCLEAR REACTORS

We understand how people could be concerned about the safety of K-State's reactor, following the airing of ABC News' "Primetime" Oct. 13. We take those concerns very seriously -- the safety of our campus and local community is vitally important to us. We live and work here as well.

However, the ABC News program was inaccurate. While there may be concern that someone could possibly cause serious damage to a very expensive teaching/research facility, there was nothing they could do that would cause a security threat, especially at a facility like K-State where they had to leave their backpacks outside. Similarly, being close to the reactor does not somehow give them access to nuclear material as was implied in the broadcast.

The mission of our facility is to train and educate the next generation of nuclear engineers to ensure a safe and secure nuclear industry.

Additionally, security measures not obvious to visitors, are in place and work effectively. They have been approved by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and consistently tested by FBI, Homeland Security and regional and local law enforcement agencies.

The reactor facility is also a key component of our research mission which is directed at developing technologies for safe operations of nuclear facilities and techniques to enhance our national security -- for example more sensitive radiation detectors and methods for remote sensing of explosives.

We understand the public has natural concerns about the nuclear technology. Consequently, our third mission is an outreach program to educate the public about potential for the safe applications of the nuclear technology -- the power industry, medical industry, research applications, naval propulsions, space applications, and many more. Part of this mission involves giving public tours of our reactor.

At K-State we have a strong record of safe and secure operation of our reactor. In fact, since it began operating in 1962, there has never been an incident involving the safety or the security of the facility. We feel we are the poster child for the safe and secure operation of a university research reactor.

We are happy to give a tour. Please use our Web site to schedule a tour: http://www.mne.ksu.edu/research/centers/reactor

Terry S. King
Dean
College of Engineering
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-5104