Department of Energy moving on security initiatives.

Several programs meant to enhance national security are being developed and run by the Department of Energy, trying to reduce the chance of a nuclear or radiological attack within the United States.

The proposed federal budget for 2006 includes large increases in programs and research for homeland defense. For example, the 2006 budget proposed a massive increase in the "Megaports" initiative, providing radiation detection equipment to international partners to screen cargo containers bound for the United States. An increase of $59 million, raising the program's 2006 budget to $74 million, is being requested.

That money will be spent to establish the program in five ports by the end of fiscal year 2006, doubling the number sought by the end of this year, according to Linton Brooks, the administrator of the national nuclear security administration. Megaports supports the DHS's Container Security Initiative, which positions U.S. screeners at major foreign ports to help facilitate cargo screening.

Another budgetary increase is intended to enhance the safety of U.S.-owned nuclear materials in transit. Amid worries that components of nuclear weapons or reactors would be targeted for hijack or attack, the DOE is asking for $212.1 million for securing their transportation. This is a 6.2 percent increase in 2005's operating budget. Brooks explained that the increase would be dedicated to an increase in federal agents, as well as construction of specially designed transport vehicles to enhance security of the materials. Also included in the increase is the design of new security requirements, which melds intelligence with preventative actions and equipment needs.

These new security steps, called Design Based Threat Policy Safeguards, are extending to many sensitive facilities as well. The increase in priority is reflected by the budgetary history: in fiscal year 2001, DOE requested $406 million for safeguards and security. That number rose by $100 million in 2003, and the request for 2006 stands at $740.5 million. New facilities for nuclear materials are being constructed, such as a highly enriched uranium materials facility at Oak Ridge, Tenn. Other funds are being used to consolidate materials at the Device Assembly Facility in Nevada, described by Brooks as "one of our most modern facilities, designed specifically for security."

The DOE also is collaborating on new security devices that could be employed at sensitive sites. For example, the Department of Justice and DOE are collaborating on refinements of the Active Denial System, currently being researched by the military. ADS projects a focused, millimeter-wave energy beam to induce an intolerable heating sensation on an target's skin, without causing injury. The DOE and DOJ are seeking ways to make that system more portable, according to Joe Cecconi, senior program manager at the Office of Justice Programs. Potential uses at sensitive DOE facilities include bulking up perimeter security and to force compliance from intruders without resorting to lethal force.