Plymouth Residents Voice Concerns Over Pilgrim Nuclear Plant
PLYMOUTH (CBS) - The federal government has given the green light to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power plant in Plymouth for another couple decades, despite objections from Governor Deval Patrick and Attorney General Martha Coakley.
"It makes me a little nervous," says Plymouth resident Barbara Smith, who lives a mile from the plant. Neighbors have been concerned since the disaster in Fukushima Japan, where a tsunami caused hydrogen explosions, reactor meltdowns, and mass evacuations. That plant happens to be the same design as Pilgrim.
Opposition Groups have several legal challenges in the works, questioning safety procedures and environmental impact. Friday, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission announced it will renew Pilgrim's license to operate for 20 years anyway. "One hope I have is from the spotlight being on this litigation process for license renewal and Fukushima, that the public will start becoming active today as opposed to radioactive tomorrow," says Mary Lampert, who heads a group called Pilgrim Watch.
Governor Patrick calls the decision "extremely troubling."
Earlier this week, Pilgrim shut down because of a faulty valve, but was expected to be back on the grid by the weekend.
