– Shots fired at TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant (WBIR, April 21, 2013):
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission confirmed in a statement that a security officer patrolling TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Spring City exchanged gunfire with a suspect Sunday at about 2:00 a.m.
The security incident happened on the Tennessee River side of the plant property, more than a quarter mile from the plant’s protected area, which houses its reactor and power production facilities.
10News affiliate WRCB reported that TVA spokesperson Jim Hopson said when the officer questioned the suspect, the individual fired shots at the officer. The officer shot back, and when he called for backup, the suspect fled the scene.
According to WRCB, at least one round struck the patrol vehicle, but the officer was not injured in the incident.
TVA officials labeled the incident as an “unusual event,” which is the lowest level of its four emergency classifications.
In a press release, TVA confirmed the area was under a heighten level of security until about 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Plant officials said the incident didn’t threaten the plant’s security.
Authorities have not named a suspect in the investigation, and TVA notified the NRC along with other federal agencies.
NRC staff from its Atlanta office are monitoring the event, along with its resident inspector who responded to the site.
Stay with 10News and wbir.com for the latest developments.
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Authorities are investigating an incident where gun shots were fired at TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant on Sunday just after 2:00 a.m.
The incident happened on the Tennessee River side of the plant property, but several hundred yards from the site’s protected area that houses its reactor and power production facilities. TVA officials labeled the incident as an “unusual event,” which is the lowest level of its emergency classifications.
In a press release, TVA confirmed the area was under a heighten level of security until about 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Plant officials said no one was injured in the incident and it did not threaten the plant’s security.
Authorities have not named a suspect in the investigation. TVA said it notified the NRC along with other federal agencies.
I live in CA. What disturbs me is that all our electrical power plants sit out in the open, no walls, no roof, nothing to conceal or protect them. Why? If they are hit or knocked out, everyone is off the grid. Why is nothing being done to protect these vulnerable spots in our aging infrastructure?
Reading this story reminded me, at least the plant had some security, many have none. Should nothing be done? Insane.