Markey: Wackenhut Security at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant is Fired, but Entergy and NRC Need Security Plan that is up to Post 9/11 Terror Threat

MARKEY: WACKENHUT SECURITY AT PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER PLANT IS FIRED, BUT ENTERGY AND NRC NEED SECURITY PLAN THAT IS UP TO POST 9/11 TERROR THREAT

Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA, a senior member of the House Homeland Security and Energy and Commerce Committees, released the following statement in reaction to Entergy ending the contract for Wackenhut to provide security at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in Massachusetts:

"Using Wackenhut as nuclear reactor security guards poses a grave conflict-of-interest, since the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has allowed the nuclear industry lobbying group to use the company's guards as the 'mock terrorist team' in force-on-force exercises. The constant reports that Wackenhut cuts corners on these exercises, retaliates against whistleblowers and inadequately trains its security guards leaves many reactors insecure and unprepared.
"While I am pleased that Entergy has decided that it will no longer use Wackenhut at the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant, I remain deeply concerned that Entergy and other nuclear reactor licensees continue to use it at other nuclear reactors across the country. Al Qaeda would like nothing more than to carry out an attack on a nuclear power plant near a heavily populated area, and it is the job of the NRC and Entergy to ensure that the new security force and plan is up to that responsibility. As the Bush Administration works hand in glove with the nuclear industry, the SEIU's monitoring of security at nuclear power plants is an essential public service."

http://markey.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2074&Itemid=141