• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Nuke Staff Rallies Around Plant; Pilgrim Employees Square Off Against Plant Foes at License Extension Hearing in Plymouth

Posted on: Friday, 16 December 2005, 21:00 CST

By Tamara Race; TAMARA RACE

The Patriot Ledger

PLYMOUTH - Pilgrim Station employees were out in force last night urging Plymouth's Nuclear Matters Committee to support a license extension for the nuclear power plant.

More than 100 people crowded into the meeting room at the Plymouth library for the committee's first forum on relicensing the plant, which is owned and operated by Entergy Corp. Entergy in January will apply to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for a 20-year extension to its current license to operate the plant. That license expires in 2012. The review process is expected to take about 18 months.

After researching the issue, the Nuclear Matters Committee will make a recommendation to selectmen on the relicensing issue.

More than half of the 50 or so people who rose to speak at last night's meeting work at the plant, and called it a safe, well-run facility producing clean, efficient energy. William Coady, who has worked at Pilgrim Station since 1984, said nuclear energy reduces the country's reliance on foreign oil and is cleaner than burning fossil fuels.

"Nuclear energy is the only way to generate a practical amount of power with little effect on the environment," he said. "Safety is a top priority of Pilgrim Station. I wouldn't work there otherwise." Several others, including Plimoth Plantation executive director John McDonagh, praised Entergy for supporting community organizations and events. The 15 or so people who spoke against relicensing expressed concerns about terrorist attacks, the storage of spent nuclear fuel rods at the plant, and an unrealistic evacuation plan.

"I'm deathly afraid of the plant and completely opposed to relicensing it," longtime resident Frank Albani said. "I'm grateful for all you Entergy employees for doing such a good job. I know you believe in what you are doing and that you can keep the plant safe. I just don't agree."

Albani said times have changed and the plant is vulnerable to terrorist attack.

He challenged the assertion that nuclear energy is "clean" when its byproduct is highly toxic radioactive waste.

Antinuclear activist Mary Lampert of Duxbury reiterated her opposition to a new license, citing terrorism, the danger of spent fuel, cancer rates, inadequate evacuation plans and environmental threats.

"An evacuation attempt here in the event of a nuclear disaster would make Hurricane Katrina look like a picnic," Lampert said.

She urged the committee to follow the Duxbury's Nuclear Matters Committee in calling for a reduction in the density of stored fuel rods and for storing them in dry casks instead of a pool of water.

Several speakers said that since the NRC will most likely approve the license extension, Plymouth should negotiate for higher tax payments and additional money to compensate residents for the increased risk from terrorism and fuel storage.

"The license is a fait accompli," planning board member Loring Tripp said. "They've beaten the path through donations and lobbying. We need to cut the best deal we can."

Tripp urged the Nuclear Matters Committee to recommend that Entergy be required to preserve the 1,500 acres of woods surrounding the plant as open space to serve as a buffer rather than sell it to developers.

Committee Chairman Jeff Berger said it will discuss concerns raised during the forum.

"Many of you think this committee is just a rubber stamp for the nuclear industry," Berger said. "I can assure you that's not the case. We have a variety of views and opinions on the committee and we will consider all issues in making our recommendation."

Tamara Race may be reached at trace@ledger.com.

Source: Patriot Ledger, The; Quincy, Mass.

More News in this Category