Massachusetts blocks Holtec from discharging Pilgrim water

[Marlin]

Massachusetts blocks Holtec from discharging Pilgrim water

https://www.ans.org/news/2026-09-17/article-8397/massachusetts-blocks-holtec-from-discharging-pilgrim-water/

[Core Content]

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection dismissed Holtec International's appeal to discharge up to 1.1 million gallons of treated wastewater from the shuttered Pilgrim nuclear site into Cape Cod Bay. State regulators upheld their previous denial under the Ocean Sanctuaries Act, creating potential delays for the ongoing decommissioning project. Holtec is currently reviewing remaining options, which may include further legal appeals or transporting the water out of state.

In 2024, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) denied Holtec International's application to release treated water into Cape Cod Bay from the Pilgrim nuclear power plant site as decommissioning work continues.

Holtec appealed that decision, and on Tuesday, MassDEP announced that it has dismissed the appeal, leaving Holtec—for now—with fewer options for how to deal with the up to 1.1 million gallons of water it seeks to discharge.

The context: Pilgrim sits on Cape Cod Bay in Plymouth, Mass. It was shut down in May 2019, and ownership transferred from Entergy to Holtec for decontamination and decommissioning a few months later. At the time, Holtec planned to complete its work at the site within eight years.

Read the full article at ans.org:
https://www.ans.org/news/2026-09-17/article-8397/massachusetts-blocks-holtec-from-discharging-pilgrim-water/