PO Box 61051

Durham, NC 27715-1051

Phone:  (919) 416-5077   

Fax:  (919) 286-3985

ncwarn@ncwarn.org   www.ncwarn.org

Waste Awareness and Reduction Network

               NC WARN

 

 

NEWS RELEASE                                                       Contact:  Jim Warren 919-416-5077

January 11, 2006                                                                         Pete MacDowell 919-259-3140

 

Word From N-Plant:  Harris Cheating After Fed Investigators Leave at Night

 

Broken Security Doors Left Unguarded After Hours;

Group Calls for Immediate State & NRC Action

 

DURHAM, NC – Security personnel at a nuclear power plant under federal investigation reported today that broken security doors are being left unguarded after a federal investigation team leaves Shearon Harris at night.  The guards also say many in their force are telling investigators about widespread problems, and that another officer was fired within the last two weeks after reporting a “locked” security door blown open by the wind.  Watchdog group NC WARN today placed an urgent call to NC Attorney General Roy Cooper, urging him to contact NRC and get specific assurance that all doors, gates and checkpoints are either fully secured or guarded around the clock until repaired.

 

The information comes as a security team from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission begins an investigation this week into Progress Energy and security contractor Securitas, and the NRC itself, based on guards’ allegations of pervasive security problems at the Wake County plant.  A number of the allegations, filed in a complaint December 13th by watchdog groups NC WARN and the Union of Concerned Scientists, have been verified by either state or federal officials, or Progress itself. 

 

NC WARN received separate contacts from two guards today – one from a known, credible source – who   told of numerous security problems continuing well after last month’s complaint drew broad media coverage and led to investigations by the NRC and the agency’s Inspector General.  One guard told the group Progress’ security superintendent openly told guards not to cooperate with the NRC investigation, and that at least several guards told NRC about that warning.  The guard said the companies also tried to trick guards into not talking to investigators by saying that guards themselves are the subject of the investigation.

 

According to one of the guards, last week a guard at his post saw a security door open, then ran to the door

and realized the wind had blown it open.  After reporting the incident as required, the guard apparently got

into a dispute with his supervisor, who cursed the guard, then fired him after the guard questioned the supervisor's conduct.

 

But the most troubling message was that, at a number of security doors still under repair, an armed guard posted at the door during the day shift – as required by federal law – is not being replaced during the night shift after NRC investigators leave the plant.  After initially denying the original list of security allegations, Progress recently has publicly admitted that “some doors” had malfunctioning hardware.  NC WARN pointed out that the December complaint alleged that some of the unsecured doors lead to vital areas of the plant.  Numerous scenarios could allow an intruder to wreak catastrophic damage.

 

“Even while the inspectors are at the nuclear plant, the companies are apparently cheating on them.” said Pete MacDowell of NC WARN today.  “It’s over four weeks since this security breakdown was publicized, and it’s hard to believe that, despite its protestations, Progress Energy still apparently has not secured that nuclear power plant.”

 

MacDowell said that as the state top law enforcement official responsible for safety and health of the people of

 

 

 

North Carolina, Attorney General Cooper must now assert the responsibility of his office, and ensure the plant and public are is safe.  The group also alerted NRC officials directing the investigation from Atlanta.

 

“If Progress deceives federal investigators even during an investigation, it further validates the original allegations of a culture of poor security,” added Jim Warren, NC WARN Executive Director.  “At this point, the credibility of the whistle-blowing guards seems considerably stronger than that of Progress Energy and its security firm.”

 

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