Fwd: Pilgrim Nuclear/Holtec draft determination...
Diane TURCO
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Coletta, Edmund (DEP) <edmund....@mass.gov>
Date: Mon, Jul 24, 2023 at 1:44 PM
Subject: Pilgrim Nuclear/Holtec draft determination...
To:
I wanted you to be aware that the Healey-Driscoll Administration today issued a decision denying the permit modification sought by Holtec International, LLC, to discharge up to 1.1 million gallons of industrial wastewater from the former Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Cape Cod Bay. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) issued the draft determination, stating that Cape Cod Bay is a protected ocean sanctuary as defined under the Massachusetts Ocean Sanctuaries Act, which prohibits the dumping or discharge of industrial wastes into protected state waters.
The draft determination requires a 30-day public comment period before MassDEP can finalize the permit modification decision. The comment period is open through 5 p.m. on Monday, August 28.
Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station ceased generating electricity on May 31, 2019. In August of 2019, Pilgrim Station was purchased by Holtec. As part of the decommissioning process, Holtec applied to MassDEP on April 4, 2023, for the modification of their Massachusetts Surface Water Discharge Permit to authorize the discharge of 1.1 million gallons of treated wastewater from the facility’s reactor system process into Cape Cod Bay.
MassDEP reviewed the Holtec application, and in the process, determined that the bay is a protected waterway. The Ocean Sanctuaries Act prohibits the “dumping or discharge of commercial, municipal, domestic or industrial wastes” into ocean sanctuaries. The process water that Holtec proposes to discharge qualifies as industrial wastewater, and therefore, the proposed discharge is prohibited.
The public can submit comments to MassDEP electronically at the following address: massde...@mass.gov. Written comments can be submitted to: MassDEP Surface Water Discharge Permitting Program, 100 Cambridge St., Suite 900, Boston, MA 02114.
Attached is the Holtec permitting decision issued to the company.
Ed Coletta
MassDEP Press Secretary
C: 617-797-2683
Note: My previous office number is no longer in service. To contact me by phone, use the cell number listed above.