Hearing Wednesday , March 18, on emergency planning around nuke dumps/NDCAP 3.23.26

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All,

 

Next Wednesday, March 18, the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security will hold a public hearing on S.2680, a bill filed by Senator Fernandes to expand Massachusetts’ existing emergency planning requirements for nuclear power reactors to include nuclear waste storage sites.

 

At present, Holtec maintains that there is no “credible event” that could result in a release of radionuclides from the dry cask storage system, a position supported by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). However, Dr. Gordon Thompson recently warned the Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel that the Pilgrim waste site represents a “pre-deployed radiological weapon,” underscoring the need for stronger security measures and realistic mitigation planning in the event of a release. 

 

You can view Dr. Thompson’s presentation (see approximately the 40:00 mark) here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNUZfqMl1sQ

 

The NRC has also determined that the waste may remain at the site indefinitely. Currently, there are no state mitigation plans in place for a potential radiological release, and Massachusetts does not maintain a comprehensive radiological emergency response plan specific to the Pilgrim nuclear waste storage site. S.2680 would help address this critical public safety gap.

 

Written testimony in support of this important bill may be submitted online through Friday, March 13. A team will also be testifying in person at the hearing, and a carpool is being organized for those who would like to attend.

 

To submit written testimony — even a brief paragraph of support — or to sign up to testify, please visit:
https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/5604

 

Public participation at the State House is essential to advancing meaningful safety protections and ensuring strong emergency preparedness for our communities. 

 

Thank you as always, Diane

 

Next NDCAP meeting with NRC is Monday, March 23. Carpool from the Cape. See attached poster. Please share poster attached.

 

 

 

[Diane TURCO]

Dear All,

The NRC will be presenting and taking questions at the NDCAP tonight. Attached is the agenda and link for online participation. The Harvard Health Study will be brought up, too, along with the lack of security around the Plymouth high level nuclear waste dump site. Please share widely. 

Halt Holtec! Diane

 

[Diane TURCO]

Hi All,

At a time when democratic values are under increasing strain across the country, it is deeply concerning that efforts are underway within our own state government to repeal the 1982 voter-approved law that guarantees Massachusetts residents a direct voice in decisions about new nuclear power development. This law is not anti-nuclear; it is pro–public protection. It establishes reasonable, commonsense preconditions — including a demonstrated solution for nuclear waste disposal, effective emergency preparedness plans, and strong environmental and emissions standards — before any new nuclear facility can be constructed or operated in the Commonwealth.

 

The more than 70 percent of Massachusetts voters who enacted this law in 1982 did so with clear understanding of the risks, informed in part by the lessons of the Three Mile Island accident. They recognized that without enforceable safeguards and public consent, the consequences of failure would fall on communities, not industry. The law reflects both prudence and democratic accountability: public safety first, and public approval as a condition of proceeding.

Today, that democratic mandate remains as relevant as ever.

 

The House passed H.5175 which includes the repeal. Governor Healey included the repeal in her energy affordability bill still in Committee, H.4144. Now the Senate will be taking up the matter.

 

The Commonwealth Coalition for Democracy and Safe Energy has organized a lobby day to oppose repeal of this law and to reaffirm the principle that Massachusetts residents must retain a meaningful voice in decisions that carry long-term public health, environmental, and economic consequences.

 

We will begin with a press conference at 9:00. If you would like speak for a few minutes, please let me know and we will put you in the line up. Bring banners and signs, too.

 

We also are organizing teams to meet with senators/staff beginning at 10:00 and ending appointments at 2:00. If you can join us at any time during the day, that would be terrific. We will have a script and members of the Commonwealth Coalition for Democracy and Safe Energy on each team.

 

So if you are able, give me a call at 508.776.3132 or email at ttu...@comcast.net and I can plug you in the schedule time at your convenience-part of the day or the full day schedule.

 

Keep democracy alive! Let the people decide!

Diane

 

Attached is the poster for the day. Please share widely.

Also, the 1982 law is attached.

[Diane TURCO]

Hi-Flyers attached as jpeg and pdf. 

[Laurie Veninger]

Hello,

I would like to promote this in the Indivisible Mass Coalition newsletter this week, but I notice that the date on the flyer says 2025. Is it possible to correct this?

Thanks,

Laurie Veninger

IMC Newsletter Team

[Diane TURCO]

Dear all,

The date on the poster is corrected so please use this version to share as pdf or jpeg.

We have appointments with the senators from TUE, Ways and Means, and leadership from 10-2:00 so if you would like to join a team (script and CCDSE member in each team), please let me know. It would be wonderful to have constituents in the meetings, too, particularly from Senator Barrett and Senator Spilka districts.

Thank you, Diane

[Diane TURCO]

Hi All,

Sorry for so many emails. My comcast email reports this email with the attached posters didn't go to google groups. Finally I shut down my computer and let's see if that works. So apologies if this is a multiple send. Thanks, Diane

---------- Original Message ----------

From: Diane TURCO <ttu...@comcast.net>

To: "cape-dow...@googlegroups.com" <cape-dow...@googlegroups.com>, "boston-do...@googlegroups.com" <boston-do...@googlegroups.com>, "madown...@googlegroups.com" <madown...@googlegroups.com>, "pilgrim-coa...@googlegroups.com" <pilgrim-coa...@googlegroups.com>, "capeco...@googlegroups.com" <capeco...@googlegroups.com>

Date: 04/02/2026 10:36 AM EDT

Subject: Another try: Re: April 9 corrected posters

 

 

Hope this gets through.