Your editorial (Dec. 22) on a local anti-nuclear group's allegations about security at our Harris Nuclear Plant urges swift, fair and honest answers to these charges. We agree completely.

Security at the Harris Nuclear Plant and all our nuclear facilities is a top priority for Progress Energy. When these allegations were brought forth, we launched an immediate internal investigation and confirmed that the plant is secure and protected. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has notified us that it plans to send three representatives to the site to look into the allegations as well. We are confident that the Harris plant and all of our nuclear plants are well-protected. We take extensive measures to ensure our plants are secure by employing a dedicated security force of highly trained and heavily armed guards to protect the Harris plant 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since Sept. 11, 2001, we have significantly increased the number of guards at our plants and doubled our annual security operating budget.

We welcome the NRC's inspection and look forward to its results. Our responsibility is to protect the plant, its personnel and the public, and it's a responsibility we take seriously.

C.S. "Scotty" Hinnant
Raleigh

The writer is senior vice president, Progress Energy.