Background
The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station is a generating station located in Plymouth, MA, 38 miles south of Boston on the coast of the Atlantic in Cape Cod Bay. It is one of two plants in Massachusetts (the other being Seabrook, north of Boston). Pilgrim Station, operated by Holtec International, is in the process of decommissioning following operation and electrical generation from 1972 until May 2019. Decommissioning is the process to end energy production and safely retire the station and any hazardous materials on site. Owners are accountable to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
The single reactor unit with a boiling-water reactor and steam turbine generator uses Cape Cod Bay water for cooling, and this continues through decommissioning as spent nuclear fuel is stored in water pools to cool. Over the life of the station this water has been released back into the ocean slowly over time.
Decommissioning in progress. More information coming soon!
WHOI Involvement
- May 26, 2023 Commentary Ken Buesseler: The scale of the problem- comments on a MA Dept. of Public Health report on radioactivity in untreated waters at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
- The commentary above is in reference to this document May 19, 2023: Untreated Radioactive Wastewater Analysis Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Radiation Control Program
- Irina Rypina received a Sea Grant in 2023 to study the water currents and potential contaminant path from the Power Plant if water is released. Please see more information in the press release: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Sea Grant to Map Potential Path of Proposed Wastewater Release from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station
- November 25, 2024 Ken Buesseler & Irina Rypina, WHOI Senior Scientists, speak at a public hearing of the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, a Massachusetts State advisory committee. The topic was Transport and Fate of Radioactive Contaminants in and Around Cape Cod Bay.
- December 2024 Sea Grant Study Model-based study of near-surface transport in and around Cape Cod Bay, its seasonal variability and response to wind by WHOI Scientists has been peer reviewed and published and found that a model release of a contaminant plume near Pilgrim would likely remain in Cape Cod Bay for a month or more. A full press release of the article can be read HERE.
Documents
- Memorandum in support of the APCC Group's Motion to Intervene in case of the final determination of the MassDEP to modify its Surface Water Discharge Permit. Sept. 19, 2024
- EPA to Holtec Letter June 2022
- Letter to Holtec from Senators Markey & Warren with Congressman Keating (of Massachusetts)
Article Links
- Proposed wastewater release into Cape Cod Bay likely to remain in Bay for at least one month, study finds; Sea Grant (WHOI). Dec. 4, 2024
- Radioactive water continues to be a flashpoint in cleanup of Pilgrim nuclear site; WBUR, Barbara Moran. Oct. 24, 2024.
- Holtec argues state has no authority to ban radioactive waste water discharge into Cape Cod Bay; WBUR-CAI, Janette Barnes. Aug. 21, 2024.
- Company can't dump nuclear plant wastewater into Cape Cod Bay, Mass. rules. WBUR, Roberto Scalese. July 19, 2024.
- 'Great concern': WHOI scientist says radiation levels are high in Pilgrim nuclear plant water; CAI (NPR). June 2, 2023
- WHOI Scientist weighs in on risk of radioactive wastewater; The Enterprise, Gilda Geist. Dec. 30, 2022
- No decision on release of wastewater into Cape Cod Bay; The Provincetown Independent, Dec. 28, 2022
- Timeline: The 52-year history of the Pilgrim Nuclear Plant; WBUR NPR, May 29, 2019
- Pilgrim’s Progress: Inside the American Nuclear-Waste Crisis; The New Yorker, Gregg Levine & Caroline Preston. Nov. 25, 2016
- MORE LINKS TO COME!
Radio Interviews & Reports
- Woods Hole scientists address proposed discharge of radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay - CAI Radio & Article by Jannette Barnes, Nov. 26, 2024
- Troubled Waters - The Upper Cape Catch interview with Ken Buesseler about water stored at Pilgrim Station Dec. 2022
- Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant gears up to move its radioactive waste - Science Friday (NPR Radio), Sept. 24, 2021
- Pilgrim is closing. So then what happens to the radioactive waste? WBUR Radio, May 30, 2019
Science
- FAQ Sea Grant: The transport of radioactive contaminants in and around Cape Cod Bay
- Gregory, M. et al. (2024) Model-based study of near-surface transport in and around Cape Cod Bay, its seasonal variability and response to wind. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 54(12), 2393-2417.
- Rypina et al. (2022) Spreading pathways of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station wastewater in and around Cape Cod Bay: Estimates from ocean drifter observations. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 225(107039). Online version
Additional Links
- Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel - advises the MA Governor and educates citizens across the state on activities related to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station shut down