Heat Wave Could Force Pilgrim Nuke Station to Shut Down

The ongoing heat wave could force Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station to shut down, as high temperatures continue warming the waters of Cape Cod Bay the plant relies on to cool safety systems.

Pilgrim's license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires the water being drawn from the bay to be no warmer than 75 degrees. On Tuesday night, the temperature in the saltwater system reached 75.3 degrees and remained above the 75-degree limit for about 90 minutes, according to the Cape Cod Times.

If water temperatures rise and show no sign of lowering, the plant has 24 hours to completely shut down.

"The water temperature will be closely monitored as the heat wave persists," NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan wrote in an email.

The temperature of seawater being drawn from the bay must be low enough to cool the water circulating around the reactor and transform steam from the system back to liquid water.