Security lapses at Seabrook nuclear plant [View All]

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060811-114547-1439r

Security lapses at Seabrook nuclear plant

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is fining Florida Power and Light for security lapses at its New Hampshire Seabrook Station nuclear power plant.

The NRC is proposing a $65,000 fine.

Service Employees International Union reported Aug. 9 that Florida Power and Light, which owns and operates Seabrook, subcontracts security at the facility to the Wackenhut Corporation, a subsidiary of London's Group 4 Securicor.

Wackenhut is the U.S. government's largest contractor for private guards. Wackenhut currently has multi-million dollar contracts with a number of federal agencies, including the Department of Energy.

Wackenhut security personnel guard nearly half the nation's commercial nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons sites, where there have +been numerous security problems reported.

The NRC fine was issued for Florida Power and Light failing to "maintain complete and accurate records of test results."

The Department of Homeland Security recently terminated Wackenhut's $9.6 million annual contract to protect its Washington headquarters.

Service Employees International Union Director of Property Services Stephen Lerner said, "Wackenhut has again demonstrated an inability to play by the rules and provide adequate security. Until the NRC takes action against this irresponsible contractor, the public can have little confidence that our nation's nuclear facilities are safe and secure."