Massachusetts Denies Permit for Radioactive Waste Dumping in Cape Cod Bay
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has denied a permit sought by Holtec to dump more than 1 million gallons of radioactive waste into Cape Cod Bay. On July 24th, the state issued its draft determination against the company stating that their plan to release toxic waste into Cape Cod Bay would violate the Ocean Sanctuaries Act (OSA), which protects certain state waters from exploitation and dangerous activities that would harm the local ecosystem.
The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, owned by Holtec, was shut down in 2019 and is currently in the decommissioning process. The power plant sits on the shoreline of Cape Cod Bay, which is one of five protected ocean sanctuaries in Massachusetts. The state’s draft determination will not be finalized until after a thirty day period of public comment which ends on August 25th.
The decision from the state has earned praise from pro-environmental groups such as the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC). Andrew Gottlieb, the executive director for APCC, said in a statement that “Holtec sought to profit at the expense of the people, the environment and economy of Cape Cod and, like most corporate bullies, needed to be told no.”
On Beacon Hill, legislators have also taken action against the dumping of radioactive waste. Senator Michael Rush (D-West Roxbury) introduced legislation that would regulate solid waste found in soil for reclamation projects that pose a threat to local populations. SB571 would establish careful tracking of materials found in repurposed soil, and would require projects to be under the oversight of an environmental professional. Senator Susan Moran (D-Falmouth) filed SB442 in January, a bill that would establish a special commission to investigate potential economic and environmental impacts of toxic waste if passed. The commission would then make recommendations on measures to “mitigate or avoid potential negative impacts”' on industries such as fishing, aquatourism, and other sectors that could see effects of radioactive waste.
Moran represents the city of Plymouth where the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station is located, and has been a fervent opponent of radioactive waste dumping. She praised the actions of the state to prevent Holtec from dumping materials into the bay. "This is really, really welcome news, and it's through the efforts of many advocates both on the side of federal and state government," she said.
With over 1,5000 miles of coastline, Massachusetts heavily depends on the economic sectors involving the waters. The Cape Cod region brings in an estimated $1.3 billion in traveler spending each year, adding to the tourism industry’s hold as the third largest economic sector in the Commonwealth. The introduction of radioactive waste to the region’s water may deter tourists from visiting the shorelines, impacting one of Massachusetts’ leading sources of revenue.
The impact that current bills in the State House surrounding radioactive waste will affect all citizens of the Commonwealth in terms of economic and environmental conditions. Accompanied by the pending final decision by the Department of Environmental Protection on Holtec’s permit request, there is a lot to follow regarding the serious issue of radioactive waste in Massachusetts.
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