Still No New License for Entergy
Entergy is seeking to extend its operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for the Pilgrim nuclear station for another 20 years. The current 40-year license expires June 8, 2012. In late April, the NRC's staff recommended that the new license be issued even though there were safety and environmental challenges raised by local residents and Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley. The staff wanted the new license issued by May 8. This attempt to trample the rights of the public to have their issues resolved before relicensing caused an outcry. Federal and state politicians wrote to the NRC in support of the citizen's concerns. The May 8 date passed without an NRC decision, and Pilgrim Coalition and its members are continuing to spread the word that they want their concerns addressed before relicensing.
Click here to read letters to the NRC from these lawmakers:
- Governor Deval Patrick
- Congressmen Edward Markey and William Keating
- State Representative Sarah Peake
- State Senator Robert Hedlund
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Union Workers at Pilgrim Vote to Strike
The almost 400 workers at Entergy's Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant voted on May 4 to strike if no contract is reached by May 15. Almost 90% of the permanent workforce at the Pilgrim site are in the Utility Workers of America Union Local 369. According to one source, they "remain far apart on key healthcare, safety and staffing issues." Safety at Pilgrim is a key concern of the Pilgrim Coalition. "If workers are concerned too, then we have common ground," said Pine duBois, executive director of the Jones River Watershed Association.
"Entergy's CEO makes $8 million a year. Refusing to meet workers' needs on these issues is just another example that Entergy-Lousiana does not deal fairly with our communities," she added.
Related News Coverage: Pilgrim Nuclear Workers Vote to Authorize Strike, Boston Herald
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Our Water: Entergy's Pollution of Cape Cod Bay Must Stop Say Groups
The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station takes in almost a half billion gallons a day of water from Cape Cod Bay to cool the reactor. Entergy gets this water for free, and kills tens to hundreds of thousands of fish annually, as well as billions of plankton. It discharges polluted water, laden with radioactive materials and toxic chemicals. "This pollution and destruction of marine life must stop, or Entergy should not be relicensed," said Meg Sheehan, an attorney and Plymouth native who has been researching the issue. "There's an alarming lack of data about exactly what's being dumped into Cape Cod Bay, and many groups are concerned, including the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies." Entergy has violated its Clean Water Act permit five times in the past three years, despite the company's claims that it's always in compliance with state and federal laws. Local groups have filed challenges with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission arguing that the impacts on the pollution must be fully assessed before relicensing. www.capecodbaywatch.org
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Upcoming Events: Participate!
Tuesday, May 15: Dennis Ballot Referendum.
Tuesday, May 15: Harwich Ballot Referendum. Sunday, May 20: Rally in Plymouth Focused on Safety and Protecting the Area from Entergy's Pollution. For more informatoin, visit www.capedownwinders.org. |