Security Tightens At Nuclear Power Plants

OCALA, Fla. -- Nuclear power plants across Florida remained on high alert Thursday after a warning was issued by the federal government about possible terrorist attacks this week.

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Security Increases At Crystal River

FBI officials have also said that they're searching for six suspicious men who had pictures and descriptions of a nuclear power plant in Florida and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in their possession.

The FBI hasn't named which power plant, but there are three in Florida: the Crystal River plant, a facility in St. Lucie and Turkey Point, just south of Miami.

The six men who had the pictures were stopped by police in the Midwest, but they were released when their Israeli passports were found to be valid. The FBI would like to question them further about the pictures, officials said.

Meanwhile at Crystal River, Citrus County sheriff's deputies help stand guard around the nuclear facility around the clock, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

Everything is checked, including empty 18-wheelers that enter the massive compound.

It's a response to the vague, general warning issued by federal officials earlier this week -- not to news reports about six men stopped in the Midwest, caught carrying photographs about a Florida nuclear power plant, Florida Power officials insisted.

"It was absolutely in response to John Ashcroft's warning (and) Tom Ridge's warning. It was not related to any news report about Middle Eastern men who may or may not have been in the Midwest," Florida Power spokesman Mac Harris said.

Security surrounding the nuclear plant at Crystal River has been at the highest possible state of alert since Sept. 11, and that has not changed, Harris said.

Officials want to reassure the public that the plant continues to be secure, even from the most unthinkable attack.

"My belief, as a person who lives here, who works here, who has a family here is that this plant is safe," Harris said.

If there is a problem with the reactor, either through an accident or intentional means, it could affect residents living in surrounding counties, including Marion, Lake and Sumter. But local emergency management officials say they've been ready way before even Sept. 11, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.

Emergency plans, geiger counters, contamination suits and evacuation routes all have been in place and rehearsed around Crystal River every year, since the 1970s.

"This has been going on since long before Three Mile Island. You know, these programs have been in place, so we're ready, Levy County Radiation Specialist Mark Johnson said.

They are ready for the most unlikely scenario: One that Florida Power officials insist they, and the federal government, are also prepared to stop by any means necessary.

The heightened security has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to close the airport at Crystal River, where many visual-flight rules flights originated.