State Wants Stricter Radiological Release Rules With Pilgrim Closure

COURTESY PILGRIM NUCLEAR POWER STATION

PLYMOUTH – State health officials want the owner of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station to limit the amount of radioactivity at the site after the plant shuts down next year.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has asked Entergy to agree to restrict residual radioactivity to less than 10 millirem per year. The move comes at the request of the 21-member Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, a group tasked with advising the Governor and state officials on the impending closure of the plant.

The less than 10 millirem per year limit would be stricter than federal standards of 25 millirem per year or less. Vermont officials reached an agreement with Entergy to limit radiological release at the former Vermont Yankee plant site to 15 millirem per year.

“I want to thank the Department of Public Health for their leadership on this issue,” said State Senator Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth). “As we draw closer to the decommissioning of Pilgrim, it is important that the Commonwealth assert its rights and protects its residents in every way possible. Reaching agreement on this release standard is an important first step in making sure our residents are protected after the plant closes.”

“Pilgrim is situated in an ideal location in our community and it is important that site be cleaned to the highest possible standard,” deMacedo added.

The station is scheduled to permanently close in mid-2019.