Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant Targeted???

[flutters]

Glenn Beck mentioned that the National Guard is at Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant due to a terrorist threat. Has anyone got any information about this? I've searched the web and can't find anything more.

[flutters]

Thanks! Please keep me updated if you hear anything else.

[HiJinx]

Posted on AZCentral.com this morning:

Arizona nuclear plant reportedly received specific threat
Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 20, 2003 09:35 AM

National Guard troops were posted around the Palo Verde nuclear plant this week reportedly because of a specific terrorist threat against the facility.

Gov. Janet Napolitano did not confirm a threat against the plant when she sent National Guard troops there on Tuesday, saying only that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had received a number of unspecified threats.

But The Washington Times reported Thursday that "terrorists have targeted the United States' largest nuclear power plant west of Phoenix, and security officials are looking for Iraqi government 'sleeper cells' that might carry out the attack."

The threat was described as "uncorroborated," and as part of classified intelligence reports given to local law enforcement and security officials.

Arizona's Homeland Security Director Chuck Blanchard said he could not comment about any specific threats. But he said he had complete confidence in the safety at Palo Verde, and added that even without a threat, Napolitano would have sent troops to the plant once the U.S. was put on Orange Alert status - second only to red in a five-color scheme to describe the threat level - because the plant is an "obvious target."

The Washington Times' report Thursday also reported that six Iraqi citizens were detained earlier this week trying to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. And the paper reported that unnamed Border Patrol authorities confirmed that a backpack found last week on a southern Arizona trail frequently used by illegal aliens contained a diary written in Arabic. The sources said the diary, which was handed over to the FBI, contained names and telephone numbers of at least two people in Canada and Iran.

***snip***

Here's a picture of the diary, the discovery of which was reported on Feb. 12, 2003. It was found on or about 2/7/03, and turned over to the FBI on or about 2/11/03.

[HiJinx]

The County Supervisor in question must have gotten some heat, because he sent out an update this morning:

***snip***
I need to add a clarification to the email I sent out yesterday after a conference call with the Governor. Subsequent information from the Arizona Department of Homeland Security advises that the additional people to man the international ports will be coming from INS/Customs assets and that the Border Patrol will be 'beefing' patrol activity between the ports.
***snip***

This may explain the comment from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff about BP agents lining the border at 100 yd. intervals...

HJ

[HairOfTheDog]

Do we know that the national guard is not guarding *lots* of nuclear facilities?

[tophat9000]

Were is Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant?

The only Palo Verde I know of is in So Cal... and there is no plant there

[freeperfromnj]

Here's an update

Arizona nuclear plant may have been targeted by terrorists, energy secretary says

By H. JOSEF HEBERT

The Associated Press

3/20/03 11:35 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Terrorists may have targeted the Palo Verde nuclear power plant, Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said Thursday, and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano has sent National Guard troops to provide additional security at the plant.

Abraham told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing that he couldn't go into details about intelligence reports concerning the plant, the nation's largest commercial nuclear power facility. But in response to a question by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., he acknowledged there were indications that it might have become a target for terrorist.

"Actions are being taken by all the appropriate agencies to address the concerns that have been raised," Abraham said.

The Washington Times reported Thursday that the government is seeing Iraqi "sleeper cells" that might have planned an attack on the plant.

A spokesman for Arizona Public Service Co., which operates the facility, didn't immediately return a phone call.

The Transportation Security Administration sent a security directive to airports and airlines Tuesday night, telling them to post more law enforcement officers in and around terminals and airport perimeters. Some airports were ordered to conduct random vehicle inspections. Some restricted parking in lots close to terminals.

Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, criticized the TSA for failing to communicate quickly with key law enforcement officials the last time a terrorism threat alert was raised. This time, her office checked and found the people most involved with homeland security had learned in advance about the Monday night decision to go to code orange, the second highest terror alert.

"It's getting better," said Snowe's spokesman, David Lackey. "They've worked through the initial delays."

The Coast Guard is now escorting ships into port and stepping up patrols of waterways. Four special maritime security units of 100 Coast Guardsmen each are in position in undisclosed ports.

Pipeline operators were advised by the Transportation Department to take a series of actions to protect the 2.3 million miles of pipe within the United States. At code orange, the pipeline industry has a checklist of 44 more things to do, such as posting security at critical points 24 hours a day.

The Federal Transit Administration, which has been conducting emergency forums with transit systems since Sept. 11, advises them to move cars and trash containers away from buildings, make sure their intruder alarms are working and disable baggage lockers.

[glory]

YIKES--we always worried about this when we lived in AZ! It was only about 15 miles west of our west Phoenix home and we know a bunch of folks who work there.
wow...

[flutters]

Were is Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant?

Near Phoenix, Arizona.

[glory]

There is something on azcentral.com

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0320paloverde20-ON.html


I believe one of the local talk shows has a live steam too, but it won't be until about 5pm eastern time that they have the local hosts on. 550am I believe.

[tomkat]

bump

[glory]

Looks like a diary written in Arabic was found on the trail illegals take in through AZ. Threat must be in there.
CLOSE THE BORDERS NOW!

[jeeperz]

Fox is reporting as of 1:52 PM EST that there is a "specific threat" against this site and Homeland Security Sec. Tom Ridge is involved.

[hsmomx3]

And our borders are WIDE OPEN.

[CygnusXI]

Tom Ridge is threatining the Nuke plant!!!?!!? (kidding ;)

[hsmomx3]

I did not see this threat on local tv, have you?

[NinjaDetective]

Speaking of borders......

Mexico Increases Security Amid Threat of Terrorism-Reuters

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico said Tuesday that it had deployed about 18,000 troops to increase security on its border with the United States and protect strategic installations against terrorism as war in Iraq looms.

http://www.latimes.com/la-war-mexico19mar19.story

They care so much about our border(sarcasm off)

[hsmomx3]

About 60 miles west of Phx.

[concerned about politics]

Domestic terrorists? Left wing Earth Liberation Front? Or could be pro-violence peace protestors as well.
Terrorism is still terrorism, no matter what silly left wing title you give it.

[flutters]

Arizona nuclear plant reportedly received specific threat

Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 20, 2003 09:35 AM

National Guard troops were posted around the Palo Verde nuclear plant this week reportedly because of a specific terrorist threat against the facility.

Gov. Janet Napolitano did not confirm a threat against the plant when she sent National Guard troops there on Tuesday, saying only that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had received a number of unspecified threats.

But The Washington Times reported Thursday that "terrorists have targeted the United States' largest nuclear power plant west of Phoenix, and security officials are looking for Iraqi government 'sleeper cells' that might carry out the attack."

The threat was described as "uncorroborated," and as part of classified intelligence reports given to local law enforcement and security officials.

Arizona's Homeland Security Director Chuck Blanchard said he could not comment about any specific threats. But he said he had complete confidence in the safety at Palo Verde, and added that even without a threat, Napolitano would have sent troops to the plant once the U.S. was put on Orange Alert status - second only to red in a five-color scheme to describe the threat level - because the plant is an "obvious target."

"I think the safest place to be right now anywhere may be within the walls of Palo Verde," Blanchard said. "The security even before the Orange Alert was very intensive. And now it's even more dramatic. Regardless of the truth or untruth of other media reports, it's a safe place to be."

Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., said it's not uncommon for federal authorities to receive information that requires more investigation. I have been assured by the Director of Counterterrorism at the FBI that their investigation ... is proceeding appropriately and that all necessary precautions are being taken."

The Washington Times' report Thursday also reported that six Iraqi citizens were detained earlier this week trying to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico. And the paper reported that unnamed Border Patrol authorities confirmed that a backpack found last week on a southern Arizona trail frequently used by illegal aliens contained a diary written in Arabic. The sources said the diary, which was handed over to the FBI, contained names and telephone numbers of at least two people in Canada and Iran.

[FITZ]

Here's another update:

Palo Verde Nuke Plant may be target

Robbie Sherwood
The Arizona Republic

Arizona National Guard troops were posted around the Palo Verde nuclear plant this week reportedly because of a specific terrorist threat against the facility.

About half of El Paso Electric Co.'s power is supplied by the nuclear power plant west of Phoenix.

Gov. Janet Napolitano did not confirm a threat against the plant when she sent National Guard troops there on Tuesday, saying only that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had received a number of unspecified threats.

But The Washington Times reported Thursday that "terrorists have targeted the United States' largest nuclear power plant west of Phoenix, and security officials are looking for Iraqi government Ôsleeper cells' that might carry out the attack."

The threat was described as "uncorroborated," and as part of classified intelligence reports given to local law enforcement and security officials.

Arizona's Homeland Security Director Chuck Blanchard said he could not comment about any specific threats. But he said he had complete confidence in the safety at Palo Verde, and added that even without a threat, Napolitano would have sent troops to the plant once the U.S. was put on Orange Alert status - second only to red in a five-color scheme to describe the threat level - because the plant is an "obvious target."

"I think the safest place to be right now anywhere may be within the walls of Palo Verde," Blanchard said. "The security even before the Orange Alert was very intensive. And now it's even more dramatic. Regardless of the truth or untruth of other media reports, it's a safe place to be."

The Washington Times' report Thursday also reported that six Iraqi citizens were detained earlier this week trying to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico.

And the paper reported that unnamed Border Patrol authorities confirmed that a backpack found last week on a southern Arizona trail frequently used by undocumented immigrants contained a diary written in Arabic. The sources said the diary, which was handed over to the FBI, contained names and telephone numbers of at least two people in Canada and Iran.