C-10's monitoring network in need of investments

The Need: The Citizens Radiological Monitoring Network is in serious need of investment so that we can replace old equipment, such as the radiological probe pictured above. C-10 is asking for $169,752 in the coming year's Massachusetts state budget, which includes $56,772 for equipment replacement and a modest increase in the annual monitoring network budget to $112,980.

Background: C-10 has been contracted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to operate the Citizens Radiological Monitoring Network since the early 1990s, soon after the Seabrook Station nuclear power plant went online. We do this on a very efficient budget. Annual contract funding through the Department of Public Health has remained at about $90,000 for the past two decades.

C-10 is honored to provide a service that offers greater safety and security to people who live and work in the vicinity of the nuclear power plant, by measuring radiological emissions as well as wind speed and direction in real-time. We operate the network 24/7.

The monitoring data provides state officials with insights into permitted radiological releases, and could also help protect the public in the event of an emergency at Seabrook. Despite ongoing questions relative to degraded concrete at Seabrook Station, the plant has been relicensed to operate until the year 2050.

We have been forced to stretch funding further each year, due to rising costs. We have not received supplemental funding to purchase equipment such as radiological probes, wind anemometers, computers and cables in more than a decade; many of these components face constant exposure to the harsh New England elements.

While we do continue to seek private and foundation funding to support our efforts, we hope you’ll agree that radiological monitoring is such a valuable public service that it should be adequately funded through the state budget.

It’s important that elected officials hear from their constituents to thank them for their support of C-10’s budget request.

Rep. James Kelcourse, Rep. Lenny Mirra, Senator Diana DiZoglio and Senator Bruce Tarr represent the six Massachusetts communities within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zone in which we operate the Citizens Radiological Monitoring Network. Hearing from their constituents will help them make the strongest case to their colleagues.

**Now is a great time to make your voice heard!**

TIMING: The House of Representatives will take up the fiscal year 2021 budget in March, with debate in mid-April. The Senate will work on its version of the budget in the last two weeks of May.   

Whether you call, write or email (links below), please:

• Tell them why C-10’s real-time monitoring network matters to you, and
• Thank them for their past support of funding for radiological monitoring and urge them to support C-10’s full budget request for fiscal year 2021, which is $169,752.

Please thank Representative James Kelcourse for introducing C-10’s budget request.

Please also thank and urge continued support from: Senator Diana DiZoglio, who we have asked to introduce the request in the Senate, as well as Senator Bruce Tarr and Representative Lenny Mirra.

Learn more about the Citizens Radiological Monitoring Network