By CHRIS KAHN, Associated Press Friday, November 2, 2007
PHOENIX -- Security officials at the nation's largest nuclear power plant detained a contract worker with a small explosive device in the back of his pickup truck Friday, authorities said.
The worker was stopped and detained at the entrance of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, said U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Victor Dricks. Security officials then put the nuclear station on lockdown, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the facility.
Authorities described the device as a small capped pipe that contained suspicious residue.
Capt. Paul Chagolla with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said sheriff's officials rendered the device safe and that investigators were interviewing the worker.
"Our Security personnel acted cautiously and appropriately, demonstrating that our security process and procedures work as designed," said Randy Edington, the chief nuclear officer for plant operator Arizona Public Service Co., in a statement.
The incident was considered an "unusual event" -- the lowest of four emergencies the plant can declare, said Jim Melfi, an inspector with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
There was no threat to the public and the station was operating normally, said Palo Verde spokesman Jim McDonald.
Palo Verde, operated by Arizona Public Service Co., is the nation's largest nuclear power plant both in size and capacity. Located in Wintersburg about 50 miles west of downtown Phoenix, the plant supplies electricity to about 4 million customers in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and California.
Capt. Paul Chagolla with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said sheriff's officials rendered the device safe and that investigators were interviewing the worker.
So first they say it was a small explosive device. Then they say it was a small capped pipe with an unknown residue. Lastly they said the device was safe. So which is it here? I'll place my bets on the fact that it was a small capped pipe with an unknow residue....BET IT WAS JUST A FOUNTAIN PEN!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Pipe bomb found in nuke worker’s truck WINTERSBURG, Ariz. — Security officials at the nation’s largest nuclear power plant detained a contract worker with a small pipe bomb in the back of his pickup truck Friday, authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security said there was no known terrorism link to the incident at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station west of Phoenix. The worker, Roger William Hurd, told investigators he didn’t know how the bomb got in his truck and was released Friday afternoon. Palo Verde officials said they pulled Hurd’s security clearances and won’t allow him back until they know more about what happened.
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