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New NRC Investigation of Security at Wackenhut-Guarded Nuclear Plant

Posted on: Tuesday, 28 February 2006, 09:01 CST

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has launched a new investigation of security at Wackenhut-guarded Turkey Point nuclear power plant, owned by Florida Power and Light Company (FP&L). About half of the nation's commercial nuclear power plants are guarded by Wackenhut, a subsidiary of the London-based security conglomerate, Group 4 Securicor. The news comes within days of a Department of Energy decision to award several nuclear security contracts currently held by Wackenhut Services Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Wackenhut. There have been numerous security problems at multiple nuclear plants guarded by Wackenhut.

According to the NRC, the Augmented Inspection Team (AIT) is investigating "significant issues" at the Turkey Point nuclear power plant "to ensure that the security program is being effectively implemented." However, the NRC statement warns that details of "inspections of security at the nation's nuclear power plants are not publicly available." In 2004 the NRC publicly announced it will no longer reveal security gaps discovered at nuclear power plants or the subsequent actions taken against plant operators.

"This is more evidence that there are serious questions about whether Wackenhut can keep our nuclear energy or weapons plants safe," said Stephen Lerner, Director of Property Services Division of Service Employees International Union, the nation's largest security officers' union.

The DOE's decision to award security contracts at Nevada Test Site, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 National Security Complex is expected within days.

The ability of the nation's nuclear security guard force to protect plants from a terrorist attack cannot be verified and needs to be independently assessed, according to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), an independent, private organization chartered by Congress to provide advice to the government on scientific issues. Nearly one year ago, the NAS called for investigation of nuclear plant security forces to be conducted independent of the NRC and the nuclear industry.

Before the new information blackout, Wackenhut's security practices at a number of nuclear facilities have come under fire.

* Six Wackenhut security officers and their supervisor were removed from duty in 2004 by the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant, also owned by FP&L after they took shortcuts during patrols and allowed unescorted visitors to enter protected areas. * Wackenhut was caught cheating on an anti-terrorism drill at the Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. * Wackenhut "systematically" violated weapons inventory and handling policies and performed poorly on an anti-terrorism drill at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). * Wackenhut's deal with the NRC to test nuclear security forces at Wackenhut-guarded plants has come under fire as a clear conflict of interest. For more information, visit http://www.eyeonwackenhut.org/ Wackenhut-Guarded US Nuclear Power Plants State Town Plant AR Russellville Arkansas Nuclear One FL Florida City Turkey Point Nuclear Power Plant FL Hutchinson Island St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant IL Braceville Braidwood Nuclear Power Station IL Byron Byron Nuclear Power Station IL Clinton Clinton Power Station IL Cordova Quad Cities Nuclear Power Station IL Marseilles LaSalle County Nuclear Power Station IL Morris Dresden Nuclear Power Station IL Zion Zion Nuclear Power Station (Decommissioned) LA St. Francisville River Bend Nuclear Station LA Taft Waterford III, SES MA Plymouth Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station MI Covert Palisades Nuclear Plant MN Monticello Monticello Nuclear Generating Plant MN Welch Prairie Island Nuclear Plant MO Portland Callaway Plant MS Port Gibson Grand Gulf Nuclear Station NH Seabrook Seabrook Nuclear Plant NJ Forked River Oyster Creek NJ Hancocks Bridge Salem/Hope Creek Generating Station NY Ontario Ginna Nuclear Power Plant PA Delta Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station PA Middletown Three Mile Island Unit 1 PA Sanatoga Limerick Generating Station SC Jenkinsville Virgil C. Summer Nuclear Station TX Wadsworth South Texas Project Electric Generating Station VT Vernon Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station WI Kewaunee Kewaunee Nuclear Power Plant WI Two Rivers Point Beach Nuclear Plant

Source: Wackenhut Nuclear Services Division website, at http://www.wackenhut.com/services/nuclear/facilities.htm (accessed 03/06/04)

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact:

Service Employees International Union

CONTACT: Gina Bowers of Service Employees International Union,+1-310-291-5711

Web site: http://www.seiu.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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