Current:Home > MyMassachusetts rejects request to discharge radioactive water from closed nuclear plant into bay -WealthRoots Academy
Massachusetts rejects request to discharge radioactive water from closed nuclear plant into bay
View
Date:2025-04-12 14:01:56
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts environmental regulators have denied a request by the company dismantling a shuttered nuclear power plant to release more than 1 million gallons (3.8 million liters) of radioactive wastewater into Cape Cod Bay.
The state Department of Environmental Protection’s draft decision issued Monday said it denied Holtec’s request for a permit modification because the discharge from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth would violate a state law that designates the bay as an ocean sanctuary.
The draft will not be finalized until after a public comment period that ends Aug. 25.
Other news Abortion rights amendment cleared for Ohio’s November ballot, promising expensive fight this fall A proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing access to abortion made Ohio’s fall ballot Tuesday, setting up what promises to be a volatile and expensive fight rife with emotional messaging and competing factual claims. DeSantis cuts a third of his presidential campaign staff as he mounts urgent reset Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis is cutting far more campaign staff than previously thought as he works to reset his stumbling campaign amid unexpected financial trouble. Block on Iowa’s strict abortion law can be appealed, state Supreme Court says The Iowa Supreme Court says Gov. Kim Reynolds can appeal a temporary block on the state’s restrictive abortion law. Judge blocks Biden administration’s policy limiting asylum for migrants but delays enforcement A federal judge has blocked a rule that allows immigration authorities to deny asylum to many migrants who arrive at the U.S.Environmentalists and politicians praised the decision.
Release of the treated wastewater would pose a threat to the bay’s environment, human health, the fishing and shellfishing industries, and the economy of the region, Andrew Gottlieb, executive director of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, said in a statement.
“Holtec sought to profit at the expense of the people, the environment and economy of Cape Cod and, like most corporate bullies, needed to be told no,” he said.
Holtec promised a transparent decommissioning process when it took over the plant after it stopped generating power in May 2019, U.S. Sen. Edward Markey said.
“In the years since, Holtec has fallen woefully short on this commitment — particularly with regard to its plans to discharge one million gallons of radioactive water into Cape Cod Bay, despite vehement opposition from local stakeholders,” he said.
In seeking its permit modification, Holtec said Pilgrim had discharged water into the bay for 50 years while the plant was generating electricity for the region and that environmental studies conducted by the plant operators and Holtec have shown that releasing the wastewater would have little or no environmental impact.
“We are disappointed by the state’s denial of our permit modification for discharge of treated water from Pilgrim Station that is well within established, safe limits,” Holtec said in a statement.
The company is also awaiting a pending decision on the issue from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
“This process has already delayed the completion of the project for an additional four years, impacted the workforce on site and further changes when the site can be returned to be an economic driver for the Plymouth community,” the statement said.
Pilgrim was a boiling water reactor. Water constantly circulated through the reactor vessel and nuclear fuel, converting it to steam to spin the turbine. The water was cooled and recirculated, picking up radioactive contamination.
There are alternatives to discharging the water into the bay, including evaporation and trucking it off site for treatment and eventual discharge.
veryGood! (4966)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- TikTok, Snap, X and Meta CEOs grilled at tense Senate hearing on social media and kids
- Powerball winning numbers for Wednesday night's drawing: Jackpot climbs to $206 million
- Elmo asks the internet 'How are you doing?' Turns out, they’re not doing great.
- New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
- Wheel of Fortune Fans Are Spinning Over $40,000 Prize Ruling in Final Puzzle
- Jury hears that Michigan school shooter blamed parents for not getting him help
- AP-NORC poll finds an uptick in positive ratings of the US economy, but it’s not boosting Biden
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- New York City police have to track the race of people they stop. Will others follow suit?
Ranking
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Horoscopes Today, February 1, 2024
- 'Black History Month is not a token': What to know about nearly 100-year-old tradition
- Pennsylvania automatic voter registration boosts sign-ups, but not a political party, data shows
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Gold ornaments and other ancient treasures found in tomb of wealthy family in China
- More than 200 staffers with Chicago Tribune and 6 other newsrooms begin 24-hour strike
- Kanye West and Travis Scott Reunite for Surprise Performance of “Runaway”
Recommendation
This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
Justin Timberlake Wants to Apologize to “Absolutely F--king Nobody” Amid Britney Spears Backlash
Could Louisiana soon resume death row executions?
OnlyFans Model Courtney Clenney’s Parents Arrested in Connection With Evidence Tampering in Murder Case
Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
Wife wanted in husband's murder still missing after 4 days, Oregon police say
CosMc's spinoff location outpaces traditional McDonald's visits by double in first month
Cristiano Ronaldo won't play vs. Lionel Messi, Inter Miami. Will soccer greats meet again?