WASHINGTON, Feb 28, 2006 /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.

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

SOURCE Service Employees International Union

News Provided By