Health Committee explores air pollution study at Pilgrim decommissioning process

During a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, significant discussions centered around air quality concerns related to the decommissioning of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. The committee heard testimony from various stakeholders, including representatives from the Massachusetts Medical Society and Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Bridal Lundberg, a board member of the Massachusetts Medical Society, highlighted the urgent need to study ongoing air pollution during the decommissioning process. Lundberg announced that a consortium, which includes experts from Boston College and Harvard Medical School, has been formed to address these environmental health issues. The group has secured $760,000 in federal funding aimed at supporting their research. However, Lundberg expressed concern that the approval of these funds is uncertain under the current federal administration.

The discussions underscored the committee's commitment to addressing environmental health risks and ensuring that the decommissioning process at Pilgrim does not adversely affect local air quality. The implications of this research could be significant for public health in the surrounding communities.

As the committee continues to explore these critical issues, the focus remains on securing necessary funding and support for research that aims to protect the health of Massachusetts residents during this transitional phase in energy production.