Important legislation addressing the evaporation of radioactive wastewater at the former Pilgrim nuclear power plant site was the subject of a State House hearing on June 17.
House Bill H9040 will place a moratorium on increasing the rate of evaporation (aka forced evaporation), from wastewater held at the plant pending completion of a study enabled by the bill. The study includes examining the potential environmental and economic impacts and making recommendations to mitigate potential negative impacts.
In order to dispose of nearly one million gallons of contaminated wastewater at the Pilgrim nuclear power plant site, Holtec has been heating the pool housing this radioactive wastewater to accelerate evaporation into the public air. In the Plymouth May municipal election, more than 90 percent of the votes called for Holtec to cease this gaseous discharge in a non-binding ballot measure.
The hearing to the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources included testimony from scientists, industry, and environmental groups.
Brita Lundberg, chair of the Environmental and Occupational Health Committee at the Massachusetts Medical Society stated, “The Plymouth community has been told that aerosolizing radioactive waste is a safe method of disposal, but saying so does not make it so. There is a notable lack of data and transparency regarding the current releases.”
I testified for the MA Sierra Club, saying that” the community does not want this contaminated water discharged into the air. We have heard many opposition arguments about why we have nothing to fear. We are not convinced…We want a meaningful voice in determining public policy that directly impacts us.”
Beth Cassoni, executive director of the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, stated this discharge will jeopardize thousands of jobs in the Commonwealth.
The bill was sponsored by representatives Michelle Badger and Hadley Luddy.
We recommend the committee issue a favorable recommendation on H4040.
– Art Desloges
Desloges is an executive committee member of the MA Sierra Club.