US Nuclear Plant Emergency Shut Down in 'Blizzicane'

A nuclear power plant in Massachusetts has lost power and shut down Friday evening during a massive snowstorm with hurricane force winds, dubbed a “blizzicane.”

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has annouced that a power plant in Massachusetts lost power and shut down during a massive snowstorm.

Spokesman Neil Sheehan says the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant emergency has been recorded as an unusual event, the lowest level of emergency classification.

The nuclear power plant in Plymouth experienced the automatic shutdown at around 9:15 p.m. Friday after losing off-site power.

There’s no threat to public safety, according to officials.

Over 240,000 customers, however, are without power and National Grid had 165,000, according to NStar early Saturday.

“Most of the outages are in southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, where wet heavy snow and winds gusting over 75 mph have been reported.”

Pilgrim Nuclear Station is a few miles down the coast from Plymouth Rock.

Over 100,000 people live within the ten-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) radius of the nuclear facility.

New Orleans-based Entergy bought Pilgrim in Nov. 1999. Entergy established a separate limited liability and multi-tiered 
holding company to own and operate Pilgrim – Entergy Nuclear Generation Co.

“This 
organizational structure is good for Entergy shareholders but does not bode well for the 
safety of Pilgrim’s neighbors. It can shield the New Orleans-based parent corporation and 
their shareholders from liabilities,” says watchdog group Pilgrim Watch. “If there is an accident, equipment failure, safety 
upgrade, or unusual maintenance need at Pilgrim the parent/owner essentially can walk away, 
by declaring bankruptcy for Pilgrim (a separate entity) without jeopardizing its other 
investments.

“Because of the hazardous nature of nuclear power plants, this limited liability 
arrangement is extremely problematic. Safety would be better assured if the owners and 
shareholders were held liable.”