Pilgrim's shutdown ends nuclear power era in Massachusetts

Pilgrim's shutdown ends nuclear power era in Massachusetts: PLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — It will take about five hours for the Pilgrim nuclear power plant in Plymouth to permanently shut down Friday after 47 years of generating electricity.Entergy announced in 2015 it would retire Massachusetts' only remaining reactor, citing competition from less expensive energy sources.Technicians planned to gradually reduce Pilgrim's power output from the current 40% before launching the final step of inserting control rods into the fuel assembly to seal off further nuclear reactions.Plant officials did not say when the process would begin Friday.Preparations for cleaning up and dismantling the plant will start following the shutdown.