BOSTON, MA — Today at 11:30 am, Cape Downwinders will be delivering a letter to Governor Baker asking him to use his authority and call on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to close the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station immediately.

Yesterday the NRC issued the Mid-Cycle Assessment of Entergy’s Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth and their poor assessment places them in a category of the worst performing nuclear power stations in the United States. Cape Downwinders applauds the NRC interim plan which includes the potential issuance of an order to close Pilgrim, due to repeated inspection failures including persistent lack of follow through with the Corrective Action Plan.

Since 2013, problems and repeated emergency scrams and equipment failure have continued to occur at Pilgrim. The NRC used some strong language that it will pull its license if they continue to perform poorly.

“This is a first for the NRC and its about time the NRC uphold it’s mandate to ensure public health and safety” said Diane Turco of Cape Downwinders.

The NRC also announced yesterday it will have increased oversight and inspections at the problematic facility because of its consistent downward trend. Shut down is the next step in the NRC rule book.

“They need not wait for yet another failed inspection to do so,” said William Maurer also from Cape Downwinders. “Pilgrim is a threat to Commonwealth and the NRC finally agrees.”