US nuclear plant sealed off after bomb found
Sunday, 4 November 2007
PHOENIX, (Arizona), Nov 3 (AFP): A nuclear power plant in Arizona was locked down Friday morning after security guards discovered a pipe bomb in a contract worker's truck, authorities said.
Plant operator Arizona Public Service called the discovery an "unusual event" and sealed off the site, with no traffic entering or leaving the grounds.
A bomb squad from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department declared the pipe bomb a "credible explosive device."
The contract worker was entering Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station at a checkpoint for a standard security inspection at the beginning of the day shift. Guards armed with automatic rifles check identification and search under the hoods of all vehicles entering the plant.
There was no danger to the plant, a spokesman for Arizona Public Service Co. said.
The worker, who has not been identified by authorities, was arrested briefly and later cleared of any wrongdoing and released after authorities determined he inadvertently brought the pipe bomb into the compound.
"My detectives feel he didn't know it had been placed in his truck," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "We're going to try to find out if they were targeting him, if it was a disgruntled employee," who placed the bomb.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and sheriff's department are investigating the incident, officials said.
Several hundred contract employees are working on improvements to the plant, which is the largest power plant in the United States.
The incident raised concerns among some US lawmakers critical of safety regulations at US nuclear power plants they believe could be exploited by terrorist groups.
Democratic House of Representatives member Edward Markey said the incident "raises new questions as to the screening process used for employees and contract personnel at nuclear facilities."
"We know that Al-Qaeda puts nuclear power plants at the top of its terrorist target list, therefore we must ensure that the people working at these plants are always fully screened and properly trained," said the House Homeland Security Committee member.
Plant operator Arizona Public Service called the discovery an "unusual event" and sealed off the site, with no traffic entering or leaving the grounds.
A bomb squad from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Department declared the pipe bomb a "credible explosive device."
The contract worker was entering Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station at a checkpoint for a standard security inspection at the beginning of the day shift. Guards armed with automatic rifles check identification and search under the hoods of all vehicles entering the plant.
There was no danger to the plant, a spokesman for Arizona Public Service Co. said.
The worker, who has not been identified by authorities, was arrested briefly and later cleared of any wrongdoing and released after authorities determined he inadvertently brought the pipe bomb into the compound.
"My detectives feel he didn't know it had been placed in his truck," said Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. "We're going to try to find out if they were targeting him, if it was a disgruntled employee," who placed the bomb.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and sheriff's department are investigating the incident, officials said.
Several hundred contract employees are working on improvements to the plant, which is the largest power plant in the United States.
The incident raised concerns among some US lawmakers critical of safety regulations at US nuclear power plants they believe could be exploited by terrorist groups.
Democratic House of Representatives member Edward Markey said the incident "raises new questions as to the screening process used for employees and contract personnel at nuclear facilities."
"We know that Al-Qaeda puts nuclear power plants at the top of its terrorist target list, therefore we must ensure that the people working at these plants are always fully screened and properly trained," said the House Homeland Security Committee member.