nuclear-news

Forceful opposition to renewing license for Pilgrim nuclear power plant

Pilgrim is one of the 23 reactors in the United States that is of the exact same design of the Fukushima reactors

Ms. Lampert also accused the federal government of bowing to corporate interests by disregarding the NRC’s own cautionary findings that these types of reactors should not be allowed to operate. 

 a 1990 Massachusetts Department of Health study  pointed out elevated levels of leukemia among residents living in the region around Pilgrim Power

Opponents To Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant Turn Out In Force For Panel Discussion, Cape News.net, 24 Feb 12  “……The panel they came to hear from included Carolyn O’Connor, director of external affairs for ISO New England, the entity that oversees the power grid in the region, state Senator Daniel A. Wolf, and Mary E. Lampert, founder and director of Pilgrim Watch and a longtime health and safety advocate.

Entergy Nuclear, the owner of the Pilgrim plant, declined an invitation to have a representative speak at the forum.
The Pilgrim plant, a 680-megawatt boiling water reactor, began
operation in 1972. Its current operating license expires on June 8,
2012. Entergy is seeking to re-license the plant for an additional 20
years.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission manages a two-track re-licensing
process emphasizing plant safety and environmental concerns. To date,
the NRC has approved life extensions for all 70 reactors that have
submitted re-licensing applications.
The thought of extending Pilgrim’s license raises a host of concerns
last night for both Ms. Lampert and Senator Wolf.
“Pilgrim is one of the 23 reactors in the United States that is of the
exact same design of the Fukushima reactors,” Ms. Lampert said, in
reference to the nuclear disaster that threatened Japan in the wake of
the earthquake and tsunami that hit in March of last year. Ms. Lampert
went on to point out that in the early 1970s, the NRC stated these
types of reactors “were dangerous” because in the event of a pressure
buildup, containment vessels in the reactor “were likely to fail.”
Ms. Lampert also accused the federal government of bowing to corporate
interests by disregarding the NRC’s own cautionary findings that these
types of reactors should not be allowed to operate. “They determined
that if that decision were made, that the nuclear power industry in
the United States would fail,” she said.
Ms. Lampert also cited a 1990 Massachusetts Department of Health study
that pointed out elevated levels of leukemia among residents living in
the region around Pilgrim Power……
http://www.capenews.net/communities/bourne/news/1677

February 25, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | opposition to nuclear, USA