Security at Vt. Yankee reverts to private firms

July 3, 2003

By SUSAN SMALLHEER Southern Vermont Bureau

Security at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon is now being handled by two private security contractors, as Entergy Nuclear has let its contract with the Windham County Sheriff’s Department expire.

Capt. John Melvin of the Sheriff’s Department said Thursday the change was expected and was not a result of May’s reduction in the national security alert, contrary to published reports.

“The rating really has nothing to do with it,” Melvin said.

He added that if national security alert levels rise it’s possible the department could be back at the Vernon reactor to help with security. “I don’t believe there’s been any reduction in security at all.”

Robert Williams, a spokesman at Entergy Nuclear, also said there was no decrease in security at the plant with the shift from the Sheriff’s Department.

Since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 , the department has manned the front gate, checking credentials of visitors and employees at the plant.

Sheriff’s deputies, along with the Vermont State Police and the Vernon Police Department, provided extra security after Sept. 11, while security contractors Wackenhut Corp. and Hunter North beefed up their own staffs.

“It was a business decision that looked at all the factors,” Williams said. He added that Wackenhut and Hunter North would continue providing security, with Wackenhut — the main contractor — taking over the responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Department.

Williams said Entergy Nuclear was pleased with the security work done by the department, led by former sheriffs William Graham and Henry Farnum, as well as current Sheriff Sheila Prue.

Neil Sheehan, a spokesman for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, said the nation is currently at a “yellow” alert level, and had been since May 30. The warning level had been raised to “orange” on April 16, he said, and for the past year had alternated between the two levels of security.

“It’s been up and down,” Sheehan said.

Williams refused to talk about security levels at the plant, saying the information needed to be kept secret.

“The deputies did an excellent job out there, in all kinds of weather,” he said. “We now have Wackenhut officers at that gate.”

But he said there wasn’t any surprise when the $800,000 contract with the Sheriff’s Department lapsed. Melvin said despite the size of the contract, the loss would not result in any layoffs or cutbacks at the department.

Earlier this year, Stratton Mountain Resort announced it was ending its long-term relationship with the Sheriff’s Department, but Melvin said that hasn’t yet come to pass.

“We didn’t hire additional people, and now we’ve got our guys back out on the road. The road jobs are going solid,” he said. “We have the same people. For the most part, we have the same number of people we had on Sept. 11.”

In large part, Melvin said, the deputies worked overtime at Vermont Yankee. “They’re glad to have their lives back,” he said.

The Windham County Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest in the state, with about 55 personnel. It provides policing to many small towns in the county, and has many private security contracts as well. Vermont Yankee’s contract was the largest.

Contact Susan Smallheer at susan.smallheer@rutlandherald.com.