With controversial reactor down since storms, tensions run high in Plymouth

Miriam Wasser

As the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth remained offline for the 22nd consecutive day, supporters and opponents of the plant gathered about six miles away in the dimly lit ballroom of Hotel 1620 this week for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s annual assessment meeting. The federal agency often hosts an annual meeting in communities with nuclear reactors in order to brief the public about the status of the plant and talk about any oversight or safety issues.

Like in years past, those for and against the plant came with brightly colored signs and prepared speeches, and eyed each other cautiously from different sides of the room.

The Pilgrim plant has been plagued by mechanical and operational problems since it began producing power in 1972, and many in the public remain bitterly divided about whether the plant, which is slated to permanently shut down in 2019, poses a significant threat to public safety.

This year’s meeting was particularly fraught because a series of strong winter storms forced the plant to shut down—or scram—twice in the last three months. Pilgrim remains offline as plant workers attempt to fix a transformer located between the electrical switchyard and the reactor.

Though the bulk of the 3.5-hour meeting was public comments—69 people signed up to speak—the night began with short presentations from the NRC and Pilgrim’s owner-operator, Entergy Corporation.

“Pilgrim operated safely in 2017,” said David Lew, acting administrator of NRC Region 1, as many of those in the audience holding neon green “Shut Pilgrim Now” signs groaned.

“The NRC noted some improvements in performance, but sustainably remains to be determined,” he continued. More groans. “Overall performance warrants continued placement in Column 4.” (The NRC rates reactors annually on a scale of 1-5. Column 1 is the best and Column 5 means a mandated federal shutdown. Pilgrim has been in Column 4 since 2015.)

In other words, Lew said, the plant was getting better, but an upgrade would be contingent upon meeting and sustaining certain safety benchmarks. …Continue reading in DigBoston.