EXPLOSIVES AT NUKE PLANT: LOCKDOWN

What's the worker's name? And what is his affiliations?

NUCLEAR PLANT ON LOCKDOWN hat tip Andrew Bostom

PHOENIX (AP) - 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 have rendered the device safe and that investigators were interviewing the worker.

The plant was operating normally and there was no threat to the public, Palo Verde spokesman Jim McDonald said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PHOENIX (AP)—The nation's largest nuclear power plant was put on lockdown Friday after a contract worker entered the facility with a small capped pipe that contained suspicious residue, authorities said.

The worker was stopped and detained at the entrance of the plant, 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.

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.

Comments

[x_dhimmi]

I'm in favor of waterboarding the worker to see what he knows. If he knows nothing, then just do it for fun. And post photos as a deterrent.

[TommyG]

Homer Simpson lives.