Exelon Provides Notice to Wackenhut to Terminate Contract at Peach Bottom
DATE: Monday, Sept. 24, 2007
FROM: Chris Crane, Executive Vice President, Exelon, and Chief Operating Officer Exelon Generation
Today Exelon Nuclear gave Wackenhut Nuclear Security notice that it will terminate its contract to manage security forces at the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station. This follows an internal investigation in connection with Wackenhut security officers who were videotaped sleeping or otherwise inattentive in a station ready room.
A broad review of Wackenhuts security management is underway at all of Exelon Nuclears 10 operating nuclear energy sites. Peach Bottom is cooperating with the NRC in the matter and have brought in outside experts to participate in the internal investigation.
The video images of inattentive security officers were taken in what is known as a ready room, or assembly room, a secured location within Peach Bottom where they are allowed to read, study, eat or relax but remain ready to respond to a plant location if called upon. It is used as a break room at certain times. The videos appear to have been taken two to six months ago.
Exelon Nuclear has procedures and guidelines in place to prevent inattentiveness among its security forces, which protect nuclear stations 24 hours a day. Work hours are carefully monitored to prevent fatigue. In addition, officers are regularly rotated among stations and must check in with a supervisor regularly.
Exelon Nuclear has begun transitioning security forces at the plant to a new Exelon-owned security company, which will manage Peach Bottom security.
