Planning Board Split on Entergy Dry Cask Storage

As Entergy continues plans for a dry cask storage facility at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, the Planning Board has decided against taking a stand on whether the facility adheres to Plymouth zonging bylaws.

Entergy intends to move spent fuel rods into the casks over time, currently spent rods are held in pools. The energy company  received a permit from Plymouth building inspector Paul Mcauliffe to build a concrete pad for the casks. Environmental law firm EcoLaw appealed the permit.

Monday, the Planning Board split on the interpretation of a town zoning bylaw that defines the term “accessory structure” and whether Entergy’s project qualified, according to The Manomet Current.

Jim Lambert, representing EcoLaw, the casks were not accessory structures. In fact, he argued, they would eventually become the primary purpose of Pilgrim Nuclear. By the time Pilgrim Station closed down in 20 years and the spent fuel rods cooled enough to be moved, there could be 100 casks holding the nuclear waste product, he said. The casks, he said, were licensed to last for 20 years, far less time than needed to keep the spent fuel rods secure. “The current primary use will be gone in about 20 years. How can it be subordinate to an non-existent power plant?” He asked.

Planning Director Lee Hartmann disputed Lamber's argument, claiming that storing spent fuel rods has always been one of the purposes of Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. A storage facility is an accessory use he said. 

The board voted 2-2 on a motion to support EcoLaw’s appeal. When that failed, the agreed they would make no recommendation, but would present the Zoning Board of Appeals with the arguments for and against McAuliffe’s decision.

Last weekend, Cape Downwinders, a group opposed to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, held a peaceful protest outside the plant, leading to the . This week, the group wrote a citizens advisory question calling for the plant’s closure.

Fourteen Cape towns have voted to support the group and its efforts, according to the Cape Cod Times. Falmouth voted to support the effort Tuesday; Barnstable voters will take up the question during a fall election. The group is now ready to take their concerns to the top. Co-founder Diane Turco told the Cape Cod Times they plan to ask Governor Patrick to urge the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to shut down the plant. Among other issues, the group believes the plant stores an unsafe amount of spent fuel rods and is concerned about the lack of evacuation plan for Cape Cod in the event of a disaster.

Read more Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station news

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• Fire at Pilgrim During Start-up
• Security at Pilgrim Increased After Marathon Explosions