Much to my surprise I learned that background checks for workers at utilities plants are not compulsory. Given all the talk, since 9/11, about Homeland Security, you would think employment background checks at the nation’s power plants would be common practice. It isn’t. I guess instead it is based on the honor system. Employees at nuclear power plants must submit to a background check, but now your gas and electric, or whatever.
I find this odd. It is much like my days in the Army Corps of Engineers when they would give you a a two hour lecture on safety measures and practices and then send you out to the job in a truck with balding tires. So much rhetoric these past years about the threat from terrorists and here we are in one of more vulnerable industries allowing potential saboteurs to do their worst. Bad enough you get an employee who suddenly determines he has been wrong or the nation is evil and once to strike a blow from idiotic zealotry. But to practically open the door without running background checks. They have better security at velvet roped nightspots.
The Reuters article notes that Senator Charles Schumer cited Homeland Security evidence that disgruntled workers may have stolen sensitive information. It was also mentioned that suspicious sources have contacted utilities workers, I suppose in hopes of turning one philosophically or merely bribing them. Which always brings to question whether a worker in dire financial straits is more susceptible to bribery or industrial espionage than someone on a solid foundation. I think of all the stories of government employees living above their means and finding financial sanctuary with an enemy. I think of Aldrich Ames, former CIA agent who is doing life and then some for selling out his country. Dave Hansen, former FBI special agent, is another. So if these guys, who held lofty positions of prestige and honor were susceptible to betraying their country for a couple of bucks, then why wouldn’t the same concern hold up with Joe Blow at the utilities plant? Especially in this economy.
According to the Associated Press article, Schumer scites in the report that al-Qaida is recruiting terrorists to work in sensitive locations such as electric, gas and water utilities. Which from their perspective makes perfect sense. Sabotage our utilities and with the economic downturn and no money to conduct infrastructure rebuild, we may be back to doing our laundry on the riverbank. Living in candlelight, and cooking over hot coals or open fires. Designer outhouses could come into fashion. For those who wistfully long for the good old days, well here they are.
Seriously, folks, what’s with this that after ten years since 9/11 and all the dollars spent on Homeland Security someone didn’t figure out the plausibility of conducting background checks on employees at our utilities plants? I don’t know how many out there recruit for public utilities, but didn’t you assume once in serious consideration, a candidate would be submitted for background checks?
Beats me.
