MAHONING VALLEY MVSD, other plants take security measures

An Army Corps of Engineers spokeswoman said everything that needs to be done is being done.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
MINERAL RIDGE -- Area water and energy providers are mum about what if any security measures are being taken in the wake of this week's terrorist attacks.
Some reports have speculated that terrorists might target water sources and power plants in the United States.
"We have a heightened awareness of what's going on and we're taking a look at other options," said David Tabak, chief engineer at the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District.
He declined to elaborate.
MVSD supplies water from Meander Reservoir to about 300,000 customers in Mahoning and Trumbull counties through member cities Niles and Youngstown.
During Gulf War: Tabak said U.S. involvement in the Gulf War produced similar actions at the facility.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh had a similar response.
"We can't really comment on security," said Liane Freedman. "Everything that needs to be done is being done."
The Army Corps oversees Berlin Reservoir in Mahoning County, Mosquito Lake in Trumbull and the Michael Kirwan Reservoir in Portage.
Power plants: First Energy company operates 16 power plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania, including the Perry Nuclear Power Plant in Perry, Ohio, and the nuclear plant in Shippingsport, Pa.
"We have taken additional steps to enhance security at all of our facilities including the nuclear facilities," said Ralph DiNicola, company spokesman.
He declined to detail those steps but said the company has stepped up security many times for a variety of reasons.
"We're in contact with federal and state authorities," DiNicola said.