Nuclear waste storage is perhaps the most significant public safety issue the town of Plymouth has faced other than the original licensing and relicensing of the plant! Article 33 – submitted by Concerned Neighbors of Pilgrim (CNP) – is a non-binding warrant article that asks town officials to do all that they can to see that Pilgrim’s spent fuel pool is emptied as quickly as possible and the nuclear waste is moved to dry cask storage. This request is due to the higher risk associated with storing spent nuclear fuel in a wet pool versus dry casks.

To date, Article 33 has garnered the support of the Nuclear Matters Committee, the Board of Selectmen, and the Finance and Advisory Committee. Despite this, CNP recently learned that the Plymouth Town Moderator will not allow a motion on Article 33 at spring town meeting. According to town counsel’s interpretation of the town’s charter, the town has no “specific” authority to vote on a non-binding article and there is nothing in the charter that prevents the town moderator from using his “discretion” to prevent a motion/vote. CNP is disappointed and disagrees with both assertions; however, they are more determined than ever to fight for a voice for Plymouth and the safe storage of nuclear waste.

There are three meetings where Article 33 will be “reconsidered” this week. We encourage you to attend any/all of these meetings. As always, it’s important to have people there – in front of the Board and Committees – to show that there is community support for Article 33, to shed light on the issue of nuclear waste storage in Plymouth, and to offer concerned individuals a platform to speak out on the issue.

• Monday, 2/24/2014, Nuclear Matters Committee will be discussing the “evolution” of Article 33. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at the PACTV Studio, 4 Collins Ave, Plymouth.
• Tuesday, 2/25/2014, Plymouth Board of Selectmen will be reconsidering their support of Article 33. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.
• Wednesday, 2/26/2014, Finance and Advisory Committee will also be reconsidering their support of article 33. The meeting starts at 7:00 pm at Town Hall.

CNP plans to make a plea to the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on Tuesday night, asking them to urge the Town Moderator to let Article 33 be voted on. There will be a comment period where people can voice their support for the article, and also ask the BOS to do all they can to fix the situation.

Hope you can make it to any of these important meetings to support CNP and Article 33! And please pass on the word to your own contacts – tell them to attend and show their support!

Questions? Email info@capecodbaywatch.org or call 508-746-9400.