Bomb threats slow down construction at SW AR power plant | Business

HEMPSTEAD COUNTY, AR (KSLA) - A SWEPCO power plant under construction in SW Arkansas has been evacuated three times in the past week because of bomb threats.

The Hempstead County Sheriff's Office says the first threat against the John W. Turk power plant construction site happened on September 7 after a written note was found at the job site saying there was a bomb there. The site was evacuated while deputies and site safety crews searched the area. Nothing was found and workers returned to the site the next day.

Late in the morning of September 10, deputies got another call to the site about a bomb threat. Deputies say this note was more specific and mentioned the date and kind of device that would be used. The work site was again evacuated and another search was done. Authorities did not find anything.

About mid-morning on September 11, another written was found at the plant, although this one gave no details. The site was again evacuated and searched, and again nothing was found.

The sheriff's office has asked for help from the FBI in their investigation. Anyone with information about the bomb threats is asked to call 870-777-6727.

Ever since the plant was approved in 2007, there have been numerous legal challenges to its construction. After years of lawsuits and delays, SWEPCO settled with most of its opponents. There are still two legal challenges pending by the Sierra Club and the National Audubon Society/Audubon Arkansas.

Also on ksla.com:
Settlements reached over construction of SW AR power plant

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