Public Invited to Discuss Safety at Shearon Harris Plant

You can give your opinions Thursday night about safety and security at Wake County's nuclear plant.

Posted 11:04 a.m. Mar 22, 2007 — Updated 5:42 p.m. Mar 22, 2007

RALEIGH, N.C. — Safety at Wake County's nuclear plant is the focus of a meeting set for Thursday.

Durham-based N.C. Waste Awareness and Reduction Network said the Shearon Harris plant is the worst in the country in two fire-safety categories. NC Warn and several other groups filed a petition in September with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They want the plant to shut down or pay heavy fines until all fire violations are fixed.

Critics said any delay in correcting the violations is putting the public at risk for disaster.

Adding to the controversy is a security decision by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in January. Instead of defending against air attacks, nuclear plant operators will focus solely on controlling fires and explosions.

A representative with Progress Energy, which operates Shearon Harris, said the plant does have security plans in place to ensure the safety of the public. The company also said it is in full compliance.

The public meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Barn at Fearrington Villlage, located off Highway 15-501 between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill.

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