Congresswoman Sheri Biggs Warns of Drone Threats to US Nuclear Plants and Airports

Growing Drone Incursions Over Critical Infrastructure

• ✈️ The FAA has reported over 1 million registered drones as of April 2025, with many more unregistered, leading to increased unauthorized incursions.
• ⚠️ These drone overflights are becoming more frequent near sensitive sites, including military installations, nuclear power plants, and airports.
• 📈 Between 2022 and 2024, NORAD and the Department of Defense documented over 600 unauthorized drone overflights of US military facilities.
• 🌍 Public reporting has highlighted concerning incidents of low-altitude drones appearing near nuclear facilities and commercial airport perimeters across multiple states.

Impacts of Unauthorized Drone Overflights

• 💥 Each incident carries the potential for a catastrophic event, though thankfully none have occurred in the US yet.
• 📉 Unauthorized drone activity erodes public trust and damages the public perception of the positive utility of drones.
• ⚖️ The current landscape has changed dramatically, but Congress hasn't updated drone rules since 2018, necessitating updated authorities for federal officials.

Addressing the Drone Threat

• 💡 The issue is no longer a technology problem, as the necessary counter-drone technologies exist and are available from multiple companies.
• 🛠️ A key need is to update regulations and provide federal officials with more authorities to delegate to local and state law enforcement with proper training and oversight.
• 🔍 The focus should shift from