Nevada Representatives Susie Lee and Mark Amodei are set to introduce the Nuclear Ecosystem Drone Defense Act, a legislative measure designed to enhance the protection of the United States’ nuclear assets against drone threats. This initiative aims to extend the authority of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to safeguard facilities that are critical to nuclear security, particularly during the transportation of nuclear materials.
Currently, the DOE can protect sites housing nuclear material, such as the Nevada National Security Site, but lacks authority over other critical facilities and transport vehicles. The proposed legislation seeks to bridge this gap by allowing the DOE to intercept unauthorized drones and investigate their origins, thereby preventing potential security breaches.
The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Seth Moulton and Chuck Fleischmann, responds to an increasing number of drone-related security incidents at nuclear sites, including six at the Nevada test site. Lee underscores the serious threat drones pose to national security assets, emphasizing the need for enhanced protective measures.
Amodei highlights the growing concern over both foreign and domestic drones targeting nuclear sites, stressing the importance of the bill in enabling real-time responses to these threats. By expanding the DOE’s protective reach, the legislation aims to prevent unauthorized data gathering and ensure the integrity of national security operations.