![[Pasted image 20250804195603.png|400]] Website: [[[Holtec International]] - Pilgrim](https://holtecinternational.com/company/divisions/hdi/our-fleet/pilgrim/) ### Introduction The Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station is located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. Commissioned on December 9, 1972, the plant was originally owned and operated by Boston Edison Company until it was sold to Entergy Corporation in 1999. Entergy, a publicly traded company (ticker: ETR), operated the facility until its permanent shutdown in May 2019. The construction of Pilgrim began in 1968, following a period of planning and regulatory approvals, and faced relatively few delays during its build, though it did encounter public opposition over safety and environmental concerns in the subsequent decades. Notable events in its history include a 1986 emergency shutdown due to recurring equipment issues, after which the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) labeled it as "one of the worst-run" nuclear plants in the country at the time [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Nuclear_Power_Station). Currently, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station is in the decommissioning phase, with ownership transferred to Holtec International, a private company specializing in nuclear decommissioning, in 2019 following the plant's closure. The shutdown was driven by economic challenges, including high operating costs and competition from cheaper natural gas and renewable energy sources, as well as political and public pressure for closure. Decommissioning activities are underway, with ongoing discussions about spent fuel storage, water contamination concerns, and the role of host communities in the process [Cape and Islands](https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2025-09-23/feds-to-address-pilgrim-nuclear-power-station-decommissioning). ### Technical Specifications | Specification | Details | |------------------------|------------------------------| | Reactor Type | Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) | | Reactor Model | General Electric BWR-3 | | Number of Units | 1 | | Net Capacity (MWe) | 677 | | Thermal Capacity (MWt) | 2,028 | | Cooling System | Once-through (Cape Cod Bay) | | Fuel Type | Low-enriched uranium | | Commercial Operation | December 9, 1972 | | Grid Connection | ISO New England | Data sourced from [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/pilg) and [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Nuclear_Power_Station). ### Licensing and Regulatory Status - **Original Operating License Date and Expiration**: Issued on June 8, 1972, with an original expiration date of June 8, 2012. - **License Renewal Status**: In 2006, Entergy applied for a 20-year license extension, which was approved by the NRC in May 2012, extending the license to June 8, 2032. However, the plant shut down before reaching this date. - **Current NRC Oversight Status**: Pilgrim is under NRC oversight for decommissioning activities, with additional scrutiny on spent fuel storage and environmental impacts. - **Ongoing Regulatory Issues**: Recent concerns include water contamination from decommissioning activities and the indefinite storage of spent nuclear fuel on-site, as no permanent [[Federal|federal]] repository exists [Cape and Islands](https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2025-09-23/feds-to-address-pilgrim-nuclear-power-station-decommissioning). - **Decommissioning Details**: The plant permanently shut down on May 31, 2019. Holtec International is using the DECON method (immediate dismantling) for decommissioning, with a projected completion timeline of approximately 8-10 years from the shutdown date, though delays are possible. Spent fuel remains stored on-site in dry casks and a spent fuel pool, awaiting federal direction for permanent disposal [Holtec International](https://holtecinternational.com/company/divisions/hdi/our-fleet/pilgrim/). ### Ownership and Operations - **Current Owner/Operator**: Holtec International, through its subsidiary Holtec Decommissioning International (HDI), acquired Pilgrim in 2019 after Entergy's decision to shut down the plant. - **Parent Company Financial Position**: Holtec International is a privately held company focused on nuclear decommissioning, modular reactor technology, and spent fuel management. Financial details are not publicly disclosed, but the company has secured significant contracts for decommissioning multiple U.S. nuclear plants, indicating a stable position in this niche market. - **Employment and Economic Impact**: At its peak, Pilgrim employed over 500 workers. The shutdown resulted in significant job losses, though some staff were retained for decommissioning activities. The closure also impacted the local economy in Plymouth, which relied on the plant for tax revenue and economic activity [Posts on X]. - **Annual Generation**: As the plant is no longer operational, it does not contribute to annual generation. ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |-----------------|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | September 23, 2025 | Federal Meeting on Decommissioning | Federal officials held a meeting to address decommissioning concerns, including water contamination and spent fuel storage [Cape and Islands](https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2025-09-23/feds-to-address-pilgrim-nuclear-power-station-decommissioning). | | 2023 | Environmental Monitoring Report | Massachusetts released a 2023 environmental monitoring report for Pilgrim and Seabrook, assessing radiation levels and environmental impact [Mass.gov](https://www.mass.gov/doc/2023-epz-report/download). | | Mid-2022 | Continued Decommissioning Efforts | Holtec continued dismantling major components of the plant under the DECON method, with ongoing NRC oversight [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov). | | August 25, 2022 | NRC FAQ on Water Discharge | NRC published FAQs addressing public concerns about water discharged during decommissioning activities at Pilgrim [NRC.gov](https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/pilg/faq-discharge). | | 2021-2022 | Community Concerns Raised | Local groups and state officials raised questions about Holtec's emergency preparedness and environmental safeguards during decommissioning [Posts on X]. | ### Safety and Emergency Planning - **Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) Details**: During operation, Pilgrim had a 10-mile EPZ radius for plume exposure and a 50-mile ingestion pathway zone. Post-shutdown, emergency planning requirements have been scaled back, though Holtec must still maintain plans for spent fuel storage incidents. Local communities have expressed concerns over reduced safeguards [Posts on X]. - **Notable Safety Features or Upgrades**: Pilgrim underwent safety upgrades during its operational life, including post-Fukushima enhancements like additional backup power systems and hardened containment structures. However, these are no longer active due to the shutdown. - **Historical Safety Incidents**: The 1986 emergency shutdown due to equipment failures stands out as a significant incident, leading to intense NRC scrutiny and public criticism of the plant's management at the time [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Nuclear_Power_Station). ### Decommissioning Status - **Shutdown Date and Reason**: Pilgrim permanently ceased operations on May 31, 2019, due to economic unviability, high maintenance costs, and competition from cheaper energy sources, compounded by public and political pressure for closure. - **Decommissioning Method and Timeline**: Holtec is employing the DECON method, which involves immediate dismantling of radioactive components. The process began shortly after the 2019 shutdown, with an expected completion within 8-10 years, though environmental and regulatory challenges could extend this timeline [Holtec International](https://holtecinternational.com/company/divisions/hdi/our-fleet/pilgrim/). - **Spent Fuel Storage Status**: Spent nuclear fuel remains on-site, stored in a combination of dry casks and a spent fuel pool. There is no federal repository for permanent disposal, so storage is indefinite, raising concerns among local stakeholders [Cape and Islands](https://www.capeandislands.org/local-news/2025-09-23/feds-to-address-pilgrim-nuclear-power-station-decommissioning). - **Site Reuse Potential**: Once decommissioning is complete, the site could potentially be repurposed for industrial use, renewable energy projects, or other developments. However, residual contamination and public sentiment may limit viable options. ### New Hampshire Relevance - **Geographic Proximity and Grid Interconnection**: Pilgrim is located approximately 60 miles southeast of [[New Hampshire]]’s border and was connected to the ISO New England (ISO-NE) grid, which serves New Hampshire. Its closure reduced baseload capacity in the region. - **Power Supplied to ISO-NE Region**: During operation, Pilgrim contributed 677 MWe to the ISO-NE grid, indirectly supporting New Hampshire’s energy needs. Its shutdown has increased reliance on other sources, including natural gas and imports. - **Lessons for NH Nuclear Policy**: Pilgrim’s closure highlights the economic and political challenges facing aging nuclear plants, a relevant consideration for New Hampshire, which hosts [[Seabrook Station]]. Public opposition and cost pressures could similarly impact Seabrook’s future. - **Implications for Seabrook Station**: Seabrook, the only operating nuclear plant in New Hampshire, faces similar economic pressures as Pilgrim did. Pilgrim’s decommissioning process offers a case study for potential future actions at Seabrook if it were to shut down. - **Relevance to SMR Deployment Discussions**: Pilgrim’s site could theoretically host small modular reactors (SMRs) in the future, leveraging existing grid connections and infrastructure. This aligns with broader discussions in New Hampshire about SMRs as a cleaner energy alternative, though public acceptance remains a hurdle. ### Competitive Position Compared to other nuclear plants in the ISO-NE region, such as Seabrook Station (1,244 MWe, operational since 1990) in New Hampshire and [[Millstone Power Station]] (2,100 MWe combined, operational since 1975 and 1986) in Connecticut, Pilgrim’s output of 677 MWe was relatively modest. Its age—commissioned in 1972—made it one of the older plants in the region, contributing to higher operating and maintenance costs compared to newer facilities like Seabrook. Reliability issues, particularly in the 1980s, further diminished its competitive standing. Post-shutdown, Pilgrim no longer contributes to regional energy supply, while Seabrook and Millstone remain critical to grid stability. The economic challenges that led to Pilgrim’s closure mirror pressures faced by other aging plants, though Seabrook benefits from a larger capacity and more recent upgrades. ### Closing Note Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, currently in decommissioning since its 2019 shutdown, represents a significant loss of carbon-free energy to the ISO-NE grid while serving as a case study in the challenges of nuclear plant economics and public policy in the region. *Report generated December 24, 2025*