Dear Senator Warren: Your Cape and Islands supporters love the work you are doing in DC levelling the playing field with corporations. But we are disappointed that you haven’t been stronger on the burning issue here, the closing down of Pilgrim nuclear power plant.
We assume you are aware that all the towns on Cape Cod have respectfully requested that the plant be shut down.
The governor has asked the NRC to shut down the plant.
Senator Dan Wolf has long been outspoken about the need to shut it down.
The recent Pilgrim12 trespassing trial was a virtual showcase of experts testifying as to the need to shut it down.
But recently we read in the paper: the NRC has chosen to reject a widely supported petition to expand evacuation zones. There is no safety concern, according to the agency. When asked how this can be when, as is widely known, 42 years into Pilgrim’s operation there is no evacuation plan at all for Cape Cod (and given the geography, none imaginable), NRC spokesman Neil Sheehan says “emergency plans will provide an adequate level of protection of the public health and safety in the event of an accident.”
We might as well be talking to a stone wall.
About this latest insult to the public intelligence Senator Wolf says “I don’t know what we have to do to have our government regulators be more responsive to concerns from our region.” (He usually knows what to do.)
Diane Turco, longtime dedicated Pilgrim fighter: “The NRC should be investigated by Congress.” (But how do we go about getting Congress to do that?)
Barnstable County Commissioner Bill Doherty sounds frustrated. “I want to sign a document that has an effect and doesn’t just state a position.” (Yeah, don’t we all.)
It’s a picture of futility and impotence. Were frustrated. Were confused. Those of us who believe in you wonder why you are not all over this issue. Can you help? We need this playing field levelled asap.
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