Pilgrim shutdown ends nuclear power era in Massachusetts

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — The Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth has permanently shut down after 47 years of generating electricity, bring to a close the era of nuclear power in Massachusetts.

The final shutdown occurred at 5:28 p.m. Friday.

Entergy announced in 2015 it would retire Massachusetts' only remaining reactor, citing competition from less expensive energy sources.

Entergy had said the shutdown would take about five hours with technicians first reducing Pilgrim's power output from the 40% to 26% to about 8%, before launching the final step of inserting control rods into the fuel assembly to seal off further nuclear reactions.

The focus now turns to the daunting task of cleaning up and dismantling the plant. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is reviewing Entergy's proposal to sell Pilgrim to a private nuclear waste management firm that promises a speedier decommissioning.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/pilgrim-s-shutdown-ends-nuclear-power-era-in-massachusetts/510656722/