Jones River Landing News

Citizens Ask Governor to Ensure That All Safety and Environmental Concerns Are Resolved Before Pilgrim is Relicensed by the NRC

iris@jonesriver.org (Iris Gallagher) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 08:21:29 +0000

Groups Protest Recommendation to Approve Relicensing of Pilgrim Nuclear Reactor May 8th

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A state-wide coalition of 14 different groups wants Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick to ask the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to reject the NRC staff’s April 23rd request to approve relicensing of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth. The NRC staff recommended that NRC Commissioners approve the relicensing at their next meeting May 8, despite several outstanding challenges to the licensing process.

The groups say licensing the reactor for another 20 years as requested by Entergy, the facility’s owner, would be illegal and blatantly disregards Massachusetts citizens’ concerns about the aging reactor’s impact on their health, property values, natural resources, Cape Cod Bay, and public safety. They also say the recommendation flies in the face of the relicensing process.

“This is simply an outrage,” said Mary Lampert of Pilgrim Watch. “The NRC is doing Entergy’s bidding and trying to trample our rights to have our concerns heard in a full and fair process.”

Pine duBois, Executive Director of the Jones River Watershed Association, pointed to the fact that the facility sits directly on Cape Cod Bay and cycles 510 million gallons of its water through its reactor every day said, “Enough is enough. The scale of destruction of Cape Cod Bay and its resources by Entergy’s operations over the past 40 years is incalculable and we have a right to be fairly heard.”

And James McCaffrey, Director of the Massachusetts Sierra Club, said “It’s time for Massachusetts to move beyond dangerous, polluting and unsafe energy technologies in all forms. The clock ran out a long time ago for Pilgrim, and it should not be reset for this aged and unsafe facility. This maneuver by the NRC to relicense Pilgrim prior to the resolution of outstanding appeals is an affront to the citizens of the Commonwealth, the environment, and public health.”

Organizations signing the letter to Governor Patrick are: Massachusetts Sierra Club, Clean Water Action Alliance, Toxics Action Center, Pilgrim Watch, Jones River Watershed Association, Eel River Watershed Association, Neponset River Watershed Association, Pilgrim MUST, Cape Downwinders, Cape Codders for Peace and Justice, Pilgrim Coalition, Freeze Pilgrim, Mashpee Environmental Coalition, and EcoLaw.

Resources

Letter to Gov. Patrick (PDF) (April 27, 2012 – Revised 4/30)
VIEW // DOWNLOAD
Time-sensitive Response to NRC Staff Request for Pilgrim Relicensing by May 8, 2012

Pilgrim Watch & JRWA Joint Opposition to SECY-12-0062 (PDF) (April 30, 2012)
VIEW // DOWNLOAD

SECY-12-0062 (PDF) (April 23, 2012)
VIEW // DOWNLOAD
Supplemental Information Potentially Relevant and Material to Proceeding for the Renewal of Full-Power Operating License for Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station

Letter to NMFS (PDF) (April 12, 2012)
VIEW // DOWNLOAD

Letter to NMFS (PDF) (April 13, 2012)
VIEW // DOWNLOAD

Whale Sightings Near Nuclear Station Raises Concern

iris@jonesriver.org (Iris Gallagher) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:23:37 +0000

Plymouth, MA – The international organization, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS), and the local groups, Jones River Watershed Association (JRWA) and Pilgrim Watch, called for a thorough investigation of pollution impacts on North Atlantic right whales from Entergy’s Pilgrim nuclear reactor in Plymouth, following recent whale sightings about a half mile off shore of the station on Cape Cod Bay. On April 17, three North Atlantic right whales, among the most endangered large whales on earth, were spotted swimming in front of the Pilgrim reactor. Consistent sightings of right whales off Plymouth have been reported since late November.[1]

Since it began operating in 1972, Entergy’s nuclear station has been sucking in and discharging up to 510 million gallons per day of polluted cooling water into Cape Cod Bay in the same area of the western shore where whales are being seen. The known pollutants include chlorine, biocides and water that is up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. While conservation groups are urging officials to explore the situation, Entergy is asking the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for permission to continue these operations for another 20 years.

On February 6, 2012 two of the groups asked the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service for a thorough investigation of the impact on endangered whales, turtles, and river herring from this discharge practice.[2] In early April, WDCS also sent a letter outlining concerns about continued operations.[3] These groups continue to examine and collect data showing the impact of the plant’s operations on Cape Cod Bay and have asked state and federal agencies to deny a new license until Entergy’s outdated cooling system is fixed and marine life is protected.

WDCS Executive Director and Senior Biologist, Regina Asmutis-Silvia, is happy that Cape Cod Bay is protected as a critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales. She often stresses that with fewer than 500 North Atlantic right whales remaining, everything from habitat degradation to ship strikes are threats that need to be addressed by the public. She and her staff see this as the perfect time to remind others of the battle WDCS fights everyday - whales face a staggering number of threats and it is up to everyone to mitigate them. The outflow from Pilgrim is simply one of the many factors humans have introduced to their natural environment; it is also one of the cumulative factors that impacts the recovery of the right whale. WDCS and their supporters look to the future as they plan to eradicate the threats that take their toll on this depleted population.

According to Pine duBois of Jones River Watershed Association “Entergy’s operations cause unacceptable damage to our fisheries and the ecosystem that supports all marine life including the great whales and the plankton and fish they eat for food. There are alternatives to the operating methods Entergy is using that are less harmful and those should be implemented now.”

Mary Lampert of Pilgrim Watch added, “It is not OK for the NRC to look the other way and pretend that 510 million gallons a day of toxic pollution into Cape Cod Bay is not having an impact. This is just one more reason why Pilgrim should be fixed, clean up its act, or be closed immediately.”

Please join WDCS and a panel of experts at Plimoth Plantation on Thursday May 3, 2012 for a free public screening of Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship and an expert panel discussion. Tickets are available at www.whales.org

[1] Whale siting data is available at: www.nefsc.noaa.gov/psb/surveys

[2] JRWA to NMFS Letter (02/10/12)

[3] WDCS Letter (04/03/12)

For more information:
www.whales.org
www.jonesriver.org
www.capecodbaywatch.org
www.pilgrimcoalition.org

Herring Count underway: help needed!

iris@jonesriver.org (Iris Gallagher) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 15:42:14 +0000

We have started to see more fish moving up the fish ladder at Elm Street, but we still could use more volunteers, especially on the weekends. The process is simple, fun, and just takes 10 minutes. As we continue to work on restoration of the Jones River, it is critical that we have a thorough understanding of the present condition. This allows us to estimate the potential for a herring comeback and helps us assess the success of our programs. Your help is essential!

Shifts are during these time blocks: 7-11am, 11am-3pm, or 3-7pm daily. The count runs through April and May. If you would like to participate in this year's effort please email us at fish@jonesriver.org or call us at 781-585-2322.

Endangered Species at Risk from Entergy's Pilgrim Station!

pine@jonesriver.org (Pine duBois) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 19:38:04 +0000

Read our letter to the NOAA Fisheries Service, available here: JRWA-letter-to-NMFS_0206_2012.pdf

Entergy’s Pilgrim nuclear power station on the shores of Cape Cod Bay in Plymouth, Massachusetts may be impacting endangered species like the fin whale, loggerhead turtles, the critical habitat for the endangered Northern right whale, and river herring. In a letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Jones River Watershed Association and Pilgrim Watch say the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) likely violated the federal Endangered Species Act in the relicensing process by ignoring potential impacts to the endangered species and their habitat.

Entergy, a Louisiana based corporation, has a license to operate the Plymouth nuclear plant but it expires in June 2012. Entergy has asked the NRC to extend the license for another 20 years. The groups say Entergy’s license should not be extended until it upgrades the cooling water system that takes water from Cape Cod Bay and discharges harmful pollution, potentially impacting the endangered species and their habitat.

“Since 1972, Pilgrim has been taking a half billion gallons a day of sea water from Cape Cod Bay, running it through the nuclear reactor system to cool it down, and dumping it back into the Bay. This water is super heated and polluted. For decades, Entergy has been sucking in and killing hundreds of thousands of fish and larvae, and millions of fish eggs and plankton every year with this process. This is an outdated and destructive method and has created a killing zone in Cape Cod Bay,” said Pine duBois of the Jones River Watershed Association in Kingston. “Local groups, towns, and the state are putting time and money into preserving and restoring our rivers and bays. Entergy is undermining this work with its destructive operating methods. If Entergy wants to keeping running Pilgrim for another 20 years, it must upgrade the cooling water system to stop this unnecessary destruction of marine life and properly assess endangered species impacts.” she added.

"Cape Cod Bay is a national treasure. It is critical habitat for endangered whales and some of the planet's most endangered turtles migrate through. This year we've seen unprecedented numbers of dolphins stranded in Cape Cod Bay. Our laws that protect these species should be rigorously upheld and actions that jeopardize these species should be thoroughly reviewed,” said Mary Lampert of Pilgrim Watch. “This is just one more way that Entergy, with the complicity of the NRC, is evading public scrutiny and federal and state requirements today, and planning to continue to do so over the next 20 years,” she added.

IN THE NEWS:

February 9, 2012 – Cape Cod Times → Pilgrim station seen as herring threat
January 24, 2012 – The Patriot Ledger → Report claims local drinking water at risk from nuclear power plants

CONTACTS:

Jones River Watershed Association
Pine duBois, 781-424-0353
Meg Sheehan, 508-259-9154

Pilgrim Watch
Mary Lampert
www.pilgrimwatch.org

Vibes on the River

iris@jonesriver.org (Iris Gallagher) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 01:12:57 +0000

Weekly: Thursdays / 7:00pm / BYOB

Vibes on the River, a weekly music jam/performance space/open mike night is up and running! Every Thursday evening starting at 7:00pm, and ending whenever the last note echoes over the river, we’ll be here. So bring an instrument, or just your ears, some refreshments, and an open mind. Come out and be a part of this fun night of music!

Monthly: "Coffeehouse on the River"
Next: TBD

Once a month we'll also present a headlining band for your listening enjoyment! Cozy up to the woodstove in our bohemian back room in a more intimate version of our summer music series.

Past Headliners:

(November 10, 2011): The Hi-Tone Ramblers’ music, both traditional and original, is inspired by American roots music, both instrumental and vocal; a melting pot of Anglo and African-rooted songs, rhythms, blues and old-time fiddle and banjo tunes – driving and stately, bouncy, quirky and eerily beautiful. The members are: Cathy Mason, fiddle; Tim Fitzpatrick, guitar/vocals; Tim Rowell, banjo/banjo-uke/vocals; Bethany Weiman, cello/vocals.

www.hi-toneramblers.com