Governor: Study Japan Before Relicensing Pilgrim Nuclear Plant

BOSTON (AP) -- The owners of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Mass., are reassuring lawmakers that the plant is safe in the aftermath of Japan's nuclear power disaster.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports

New Orleans-based Entergy Corp. officials said Wednesday that while the plant's design is similar to the Fukushima plant, they have backup systems that the Japanese plant didn't enjoy, including extra diesel generators and better venting systems.

The officials also said they are planning to move to dry fuel storage of spent fuel at the site. The plant currently relies on wet storage, similar to the Japanese plant.

Gov. Deval Patrick and top legislative leaders have sent a letter to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission urging the agency to hold off on Pilgrim's relicensing request until more is learned from the Japan disaster.

Entergy also owns the Vermont Yankee plant.

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