Nuclear plant worker held overexplosive device

SECURITY officials at America’s largest nuclear power plant detained a contract worker with a small explosive device in the back of his pickup truck yesterday, authorities said.

The worker was detained at the entrance of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, said US Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman Victor Dricks. Security officials then put the nuclear station on lockdown, prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving.

Authorities described the device as a small capped pipe that contained suspicious residue.

Captain Paul Chagolla with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said the sheriff’s officials rendered the device safe and that investigators were interviewing the worker.

“Our security personnel acted cautiously and appropriately, demonstrating that our security process and procedures work as designed,” said Randy Edington, the chief nuclear officer for plant operator Arizona Public Service Co.

The incident was considered an “unusual event” — the lowest of four emergencies the plant can declare, said Jim Melfi, an inspector with the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

There was no threat to the public, said Palo Verde spokesman Jim McDonald.