Pilgrim Nuclear Plant Shut Down

PLYMOUTH, MA — Pilgrim nuclear plant remained shut down Monday after a leak Thursday.

Engineers discovered a "small" steam line leak, said plant spokesman Patrick O'Brien.

"There was and is no impact to the safety of the public or plant staff," O'Brien said in a statement. "Plant operators made the conservative, best practice decision to shut down the plant and repair the leak. During this time offline, additional maintenance activities that cannot be done when the plant is at power will be performed."

O'Brien said information about the plant's reopening will not be released, as it's "market-sensitive."

Pilgrim will be shut down for good in 2019. Louisiana-based Entergy operates the plant and said it made the decision "because of poor market conditions, reduced revenues, and increased operational costs."

Pilgrim went online in 1972 and generates 680 megawatts, enough to power over 600,000 homes.

Federal authorities recently stepped up oversight of Pilgrim following numerous safety violations related to fire suppression protocol and an unplanned shutdown last year during a snowstorm, among other problems.

"Pilgrim will continue to be a good neighbor, providing economic benefits and charitable donations," said John Dent, a Pilgrim vice president, in a statement.

Pilgrim will be refueled in 2017 ahead of the shutdown, Entergy said.

Photo credit: Entergy