America’s Largest Nuclear Plant Put on Lockdown

A contract worker who was apparently attempting to bring a small explosive device onto the grounds of Arizona’s Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station on Friday was stopped and detained, according to the Associated Press, and officials would not let anyone enter or leave the plant after the incident.

AP via Breitbart.com:

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.

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