Mass. Bid To Suspend Pilgrim Relicensing Denied

A three-judge panel has rejected a request by the Massachusetts attorney general to suspend the relicensing of the Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth.

Attorney General Martha Coakley asked federal regulators in May to suspend the relicensing process until the implications of the Fukushima Dai-ichi disaster in Japan could be fully assessed. Pilgrim has a similar design to the Japanese plant heavily damaged by an earthquake and tsunami.

The panel overseeing Pilgrim's relicensing review for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission denied Coakley's request Monday.

A spokeswoman for Coakley tells The Patriot Ledger that while disappointed with the decision, the office is reviewing its options. Coakley can appeal to the full Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

U.S. Rep. Edward Markey also says the Japanese situation should be considered when weighing Pilgrim's relicensing.