PLYMOUTH – The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant completed its final refueling early Monday morning and has reconnected to the power grid.
A statement from plant owner Entergy said the Plymouth facility was back on line just before 2 a.m.
That was Pilgrim’s final refueling before the plant will close forever by June 1, 2019.
“Entergy invested some $54 million in RFO-21 including bringing in more than 800 skilled, temporary workers to assist the plant’s 620 full-time employees to upgrade, replace, and inspect hundreds of pieces of equipment,” according to a statement issued Monday.
Officials said they remain committed to providing safe, clean power for the region until it shuts down no later than June 1, 2019.”
Pilgrim has been troubled by safety violations and unplanned shutdowns in recent years and is currently one of the three worst performing plants in the country, according to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
It is one step away from a federally-mandated shutdown.
Last week, the plant was hit with two more violations by federal regulators after two high pressure safety valves failed a required test.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says both citations are of “very low safety significance.” The violations were detailed in the NRC’s first-quarter inspection report of the plant.
By MATT PITTA, CapeCod.com News Director
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