Pilgrim Nuclear Plant to Shut Down in 2019

PLYMOUTH, MA — The Pilgrim nuclear plant in Plymouth will shut down in 2019, its operators announced Thursday.

The decision follows a series of safety violations.

Louisiana-based Entergy operates the plant and said it made the decision "because of poor market conditions, reduced revenues, and increased operational costs."

The plant will close May 31, 2019, Entergy said.

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.

"Entergy remains committed overall to nuclear power, whose benefits include carbon-free, reliable power that is cost-effective over the long term, contributes to supply diversity and energy security as part of a balanced energy portfolio and provides almost two-thirds of America’s clean-air electricity," the company said in a statement.

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Photo credit: Entergy