Nuclear waste dumping could make Cape Cod waters dangerously radioactive

The pristine waters off Cape Cod are at risk of becoming radioactive due to the discharge of nuclear wastewater from a power plant undergoing decommissioning. A recent study indicated that the waste could linger in the area for as long as a month, particularly if released during the spring and summer months. The study, led by Irina Rypina, highlighted that the wastewater could drift toward the shores and coastal waters of towns such as Dennis, Wellfleet, and Provincetown. Local residents have expressed ongoing concern regarding the safety and environmental impact of these discharges, particularly given that Cape Cod Bay is designated as a protected ocean sanctuary. Massachusetts Senator Ed Markey, who has been vocal about residents' fears, noted that the findings from the study validate the apprehensions of the Cape's community, who have questioned the rationale behind dumping plant wastewater into the Bay for years. He criticized Holtec, the subsidiary that purchased the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in 2019, for not maintaining transparency regarding the decommissioning process. Holtec had assured residents that they would adhere to high standards of public health and environmental safety but has been accused of falling short of that promise. According to the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, discharging nuclear wastewater is a standard practice during both the operation and decommissioning of nuclear power facilities, provided it adheres to regulatory limits. Holtec maintained that past releases of wastewater were executed safely and posed little environmental threat. However, concerns about the long-term effects of these practices continue to resonate among locals and environmental advocates. As of July 18, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection determined that Holtec was prohibited from discharging industrial wastes into protected state waters. Despite this, Holtec argued that the permits allowing for liquid discharges were issued prior to the Ocean Sanctuary Act, suggesting that such actions were grandfathered into legality. The growing tensions between environmental safety and operational protocols at nuclear facilities reveal a critical need for a more community-focused approach in managing hazardous waste disposal that safeguards both the ocean environment and the concerns of local residents.