Aug 23, 2001
'Unusual Event' Declared at PPL's Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant Because of Attempted Security Breach
PRNewswire
BERWICK, Pa.
An "unusual event" was declared at PPL's Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Luzerne County near Berwick, Pa., at 4:21 p.m. EDT on Thursday (8/23) because of an attempted security breach.
Plant security apprehended a man inside the vehicle access area at the plant's North Gatehouse. "While the individual did scale a perimeter fence at the access area, he did not gain entry to the plant's protected area, which is surrounded by a secondary perimeter fence," said Herb Woodeshick, PPL Corp. special assistant to the president for Susquehanna.
"The individual was not armed and has been handed over to the Pennsylvania State Police," Woodeshick said. "Security has made checks of the plant and determined there is no threat to the plant or to public safety as a result of this incident. We are continuing to investigate the incident."
The plant's security system worked as designed -- security was alerted immediately and the lone intruder was quickly apprehended, Woodeshick said.
PPL has notified state and county emergency management agencies, as well as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
An unusual event means a minor problem has occurred at the plant that could reduce plant safety. No action by the general public is required. An unusual event is the lowest of the four emergency classifications established by the NRC for nuclear power plants.
The Susquehanna plant, located in Luzerne County about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by PPL Susquehanna LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by PPL Susquehanna.
PPL has activated its Media Operations Center at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center along Route 11, seven miles north of Berwick. The phone number is 570-759-2285.
PPL Susquehanna LLC is a member of the PPL family of companies. PPL Corporation is a global energy company headquartered in Allentown, Pa.
NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981015/PHTH025
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SOURCE: PPL Corporation
Contact: Herb Woodeshick of PPL Corporation, +1-570-759-2285, or fax,
+1-610-774-5281
Website: http://www.pplweb.com/
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