National Security Threat Prompts Schumer to Enact FBI Background Check Legislation

Published on September 21st, 2011
Written by Public Record Finder Staff

National security threats are prompting New York Senator Charles Schumer to introduce new legislation on mandating background checks for workers at utility plants. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently distributed a report which outlined a possible threat to electric, gas and water utilities. Workers who could cause destruction to the plants pose a "significant threat" to national security. The report followed intelligence which suggested that Al Qaeda may be targeting the facilities. In a statement Schumer declared, "The DHS report is a wake-up call that we must ensure those with access to our most critical infrastructure -- and our power supplies -- are not compromised by extremist influences."

The report, "Insider Threat to Utilities", called attention to past incidents at various utility plants. One employee at a water treatment plant attempted to increase the methane gas in the atmosphere and another broke a valve at a natural gas plant. The report also noted that senior Al Qaeda officials were prompting recruits to become employees at vulnerable plants to carry out terrorist attacks. The information was also discovered in an Al Qaeda newsletter.

Schumer, in light of the new developments, is proposing a bill that would require all employees who work in vulnerable areas such as Keyspan's Big Allis electric power plant, to undergo FBI background checks. Currently, only workers employed by nuclear power plants are required to undergo background check screening.

Queens, New York is filled with multiple power plants, from Con Edison in Astoria to the power generator on 36th Avenue, which is "Big Allis". Wastewater treatment plants also service the area such as the Tallman Island Water Pollution Control Plant in College Point, the Rockaway WPCP, the Alley Creek Combined Sewer Overflow Facility in Bayside, and others.

According to Schumer's office, the FBI background check would consist of a thorough examination of the potential employee's criminal history. It would include research into the criminal history record repository and the Interstate Identification Index system. The Index system holds the fingerprints of people from the U.S. and federal and international criminal justice agencies.