Point Lepreau nuclear plant in market for 2 light armoured vehicles

The Point Lepreau nuclear generating station is looking to buy two new light armoured vehicles to help keep the plant near Saint John secure.

The nuclear station on the Bay of Fundy already has a pair of these bulletproof vehicles at the site, but they are six years old and need to be replaced, officials say.

Marc Beliveau, spokesperson for NB Power, said a light armoured vehicle, often called a LAV, typically costs $300,000, but the exact price for the utility will not be known until bids are received.

A callfor submissions ran from June 12 to 28, and proposals from suppliers are now being reviewed.

Gun ports and infrared cameras

According to the tender, the plantis seekingvehicles with ballistic armouring, seven gun ports large enough for use with carbine rifles, and infrared cameras.

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"The use of LAVs is mandated by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission as part of our operations at Lepreau," Belliveausaid in an email."They are a standard part of security at Canadian nuclear facilities."

AureleGervais, a spokesperson for the commission, said securitymeasures were ramped up after the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S., and remain in place today.

He said one measure wasto ensure an "on-site armed response force at major nuclear facilities [is] available 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Yearly assessment of risks

"Contingency planning, drills and exercises" are also part of the security regime, and the site undergoes a security-focused threat and risk assessment each year.

Belliveau said Lepreau's current light armoured vehiclesare simply at the end of their life cycle, as defined bycommission policies.

He said it is not yet known what the nuclear stationwill do with the old vehicles. He would notreveal the model of the current vehicles for"security reasons."

Earlier this year, Fredericton's police force paid nearly $350,000 for a light armoured vehicle, selecting GardaWorld as the supplier.