Plymouth Officials Weigh Nuclear Challenges as Pilgrim Decommissioning Continues
Town considers legal action over federal waste storage obligations while addressing small modular reactor possibilities and ongoing site restrictions through 2063.
PLYMOUTH - August 12 - Plymouth Select Board Chair Kevin Canty outlined the complex nuclear challenges facing the town during the board's Aug. 12 meeting at Plymouth South High School, addressing questions about small modular reactors and the prolonged timeline for the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station decommissioning.
The town maintains right of first refusal on 1,530.35 acres of the former nuclear plant site, but much of that land remains under federal licensing restrictions until the projected decommissioning completion in 2035. Dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel is expected to remain on site until at least 2063, with the possibility of extending even longer due to the lack of a federal repository.
"The town is examining the possibility of joining with other communities and potentially trying to litigate that with the federal government because they made a promise to do that," Canty said, referring to the federal obligation to provide a permanent nuclear waste repository.
The federal government's failure to open the planned Yucca Mountain facility in Nevada has left communities like Plymouth warehousing spent nuclear fuel indefinitely. Current nuclear plant operators periodically sue the federal government for expenses they incur due to the missing repository, and Plymouth is considering similar legal action.
Regarding small modular reactors, a new type of nuclear technology that has generated recent interest, Canty explained that current Massachusetts law requires a statewide vote to open any new nuclear power facility. He noted that Governor Maura Healey's administration, while supportive of nuclear power generally, indicated in a June meeting that it wasn't looking to deploy SMRs in Plymouth.
"My understanding from Holtec that I've heard indirectly was that they, because of the state-wide vote, that they kind of viewed Massachusetts as off-limits for nuclear right now because they don't think that would pass," Canty said.
The decommissioning timeline assumes Holtec International, the company handling the process, will be able to discharge treated water into Cape Cod Bay. However, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has denied this request, and Holtec is appealing the decision. Plymouth has intervened in the lawsuit to protect Cape Cod Bay from the water discharge.
Town Manager Derek Brindisi provided updates on several other significant developments affecting Plymouth residents. The town has achieved safe harbor status for 40B affordable housing projects after the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a 300-unit development formerly known as Claremont, now owned by Avalon.
"We expect this to be approved by the state officials, which once approved, we will be in safe harbor for two years, which means to the town that any 40B project that comes forward for the next 24 months, we can reject," Brindisi said.
However, a 163-unit Pulte development on Hedge Road in North Plymouth had already filed its application before the safe harbor status, allowing it to proceed despite the town's objections.
Brindisi expressed concerns about the strain these developments place on public safety resources, noting that the fire chief and police chief have identified existing 40B projects as areas requiring numerous service calls. The town currently has 14 police officer vacancies and only three natural resource officers for the entire community of 70,000 residents.
The meeting also addressed ongoing violations at the Plymouth Town Forest and Great South Pond, where residents reported continued illegal activities despite conservation restrictions. Katherine Harrelson of the Community Land and Water Coalition detailed violations including swimming, bonfires, camping, and off-leash dogs at the 317-acre conserved property.
"There's just ongoing violations of the conservation restriction, many of which we've been made aware of, such as swimming, bonfires, ongoing use of the pond for outdoor baptisms, camping, multiple people swimming at the time," Harrelson said.
Residents living near Great South Pond described fire safety concerns and environmental damage from unauthorized recreational use. The Department of Conservation and Recreation issued a 2023 letter requesting consistent enforcement, improved signage, and formal tow zones, but staffing limitations continue to hamper enforcement efforts.
On infrastructure improvements, Brindisi reported progress on several traffic projects. The intersection widening at Halfway Pond and Long Pond Road awaits removal of a tree entangled in utility wires, while signal equipment installation is expected in early fall. The Clark Road and Pine Hills Drive intersection has completed road widening and turning lanes, with signal installation planned for mid-September.
The controversial Bert's building received attention after the town issued notices requiring the owner to secure and demolish the structure. The building has been fenced as required, and a demolition permit application has been pulled but not yet filed with complete plans.
The board's next "On the Road" meeting is scheduled for Manomet Elementary School, continuing the effort to bring town government directly to different neighborhoods throughout Plymouth.