Pilgrim plant taken offline in advance of snowstorm

Pilgrim plant taken offline in advance of snowstorm



Posted Feb. 15, 2015 @ 2:00 am

PLYMOUTH - Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station was taken offline Saturday in preparation for this weekend's snowstorm, according to a statement released from Entergy Corp. spokeswoman Lauren Burm.

“We are following plant procedures to prepare for a potential loss of offsite power or the grid’s inability to accept the power Pilgrim generates,” the statement said. “As always, safety is our number one priority and there is no threat to the safety of plant workers or the general public.”

The station was shuttered for 12 days after the blizzard on Jan. 27. due to the loss of off-site power and other problems.

Before that storm, citizens groups had appealed to the NRC to shut down Pilgrim before the storm because of malfunctions the plant experienced during similar weather in February 2013. The NRC responded that it had inspectors at Pilgrim who would closely monitor the situation.

Loss of off-site power at 4 a.m. on Jan. 27 ultimately caused the plant to automatically shut down. It reopened on Feb. 9.

— Haven Orecchio-Egresitz

http://www.capecodtimes.com/article/20150215/NEWS/150219592/101015/NEWSLETTER100