Security experts say nuclear facilities here in Tennessee as well as across the U.S. are in danger of being infiltrated by terrorists. Our media partner, the Washington Guardian, and reporter Jennifer Gilber show us the security flaws they found.

Security at one of America's nuclear facilities is no match for an elderly nun. Megan Rice was among 3 protestors who call themselves "Transform Now Plowshares" that evaded all means of detection a week ago, getting inside the Y12 National Security Complex in Tennessee.

"So you actually have an 82 year old nun able to get in the facility," says Phillip Swarts. "And they made it into a building where the uranium is housed."

Much of America's weapons grade uranium is thought to be housed there. A key element needed to make nuclear bombs. Nationally renowned security expert Michael Greenberger says America is setting itself up for a national disaster.

"The problem here is if a terrorist is able to get loose in one of these facilities they could cause untold damage," says Greenberger.

According to the Washington Guardian, the same facility has come under the scrutiny of the Department of Energy for mishandled explosives to reports of employees showing up for work drunk.

"People are overworked," says Greenberger. "There aren't enough people and it's just yet another reflection the United States' government is trying to do things on the cheap."

Problems run well beyond Oak Ridge. The Washington Guardian coming through documents found serious security issues plaguing nuclear facilities around the U.S. Inspectors at the Savannah Nuclear Facility in South Carolina and at the Idaho National Laboratory discovered dynamite and C4 plastics stored near flammable materials.

At the Sandia National Lab in New Mexico, the Inspector General found flaws in inventory reports. Even Los Alamos, the birthplace of the atomic bomb, is not squeaky clean. Concerns persist whether the facility is adequately protected from the shocks of an earthquake to wildfires. Officials with the Energy Department told The Guardian they are aware of the concerns and most are being addressed. Nun Megan Rice is out of jail on her own recognizance. She will continue her protest against nuclear facilities. She wants to shut them all down. At the least, she intends to keep finding the flaws.

A Federal Grand Jury has toughened the charges against those 3 anti-war protestors here in Tennessee. The indictment released today charges the 3, including the 82 year old Roman Catholic nun, with Depredation of the Y12 National Security Complex in Knoxville. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

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