YOUR TURN: Speak out against radioactive water dump James Wright, guest columnist

YOUR TURN: Speak out against radioactive water dump

James Wright, guest columnist 

Published Jan 19, 2022

Holtec’s proposed action to dump radioactive waste water from the now-closed Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station into Massachusetts Bay is an existential threat to the citizens of Massachusetts.  It is an intolerable injury to the environment, public health, economy and the reputation of Massachusetts itself.

If carried out, this violation of public trust will further erode faith in government to protect its citizens from corporate malfeasance and greed. It will inevitably undermine long-term quality of life for short-term corporate profit. Organize and unite to save our communities' health, natural resources, tourism and property values.

On Dec. 1,  the Nuclear Regulatory Commission told Rep. William Keating that Holtec has informed the NRC that it plans to discharge liquid effluents sometime in the first quarter of 2022.  Since then, Holtec has backtracked and said it will not discharge any radioactively contaminated during 2022, but what then?  We need to remain alert because Holtec can dispose of the radioactive water without NRC approval.

What can you do?

Speak out at the upcoming hearing at Plymouth Town Hall 6:30 p.m., Jan. 31.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel advises the Governor and educates citizens across the state on activities related to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station shut down. Tell the NDCAP what you think. It can be reached at: NDCAP@state.ma.us. Or visit the web site, www.mass.gov/orgs/nuclear-decommissioning-citizens-advisory-panel.

Call your U.S. representatives and senators, because only through public engagement and support can they aspire to withstand the enticement of corporate campaign donations and the inertia of bureaucratic subservience.

Call or write the press, community leaders and representatives in opposition to Holtec's plan to irresponsibly dump radioactive waste in Massachusetts waters.

Support Pilgrim Watch, a public interest group focused on providing factual information on safety issues pertaining to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.

James Wright lives in Plymouth.

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