Tuesday, February 16, 2010
What: Statement from former State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Matt Dunne following announcement scheduling Senate vote on Vermont Yankee
Contact: David Babbott, (802) 478-0858 or info@mattdunne.com
Matt Dunne Statement:
I welcomed action finally coming out of Montpelier that will provide clarity on Vermont Yankee’s future. Concerned Vermonters have long awaited today’s announcement that a Senate committee will begin considering legislation related to the relicensing of this aging facility. In addition to rejecting Entergy’s application for relicensing, Vermont’s government needs to make critical decisions that will affect our state’s energy future, many workers’ jobs, and the health and safety of our citizens for generations. While we wait, the importance of coming together to create a post-Entergy state continues to grow.
Unfortunately, this legislation will only affect Vermont Yankee in 2012. As I have made clear, we must also act now to protect the citizens of our state and others by shutting down the facility until the source of the tritium leak is found. Recent statements by the Vermont Department of Health and Entergy management that water from the plant is probably flowing into the Connecticut River in addition to Vermont’s groundwater require urgent action to address clear breaches of health and safety standards. We do not know the rate at which toxic materials are leaving Vermont Yankee, nor do we know the extent of the current contamination or whether the leak may contain other radioactive materials besides tritium. With all these variables, it is simply irresponsible to allow continued contamination of our groundwater and the river. This is a clear-cut public safety issue.
It’s also vital that Vermont take steps to hold Entergy Louisiana legally and financially accountable. As I said last week, I believe the Agency of Natural Resources should work to identify any violations of Vermont or federal law with regard to the Clean Water Act or any other state or federal environmental protection laws, particularly any involving “imminent hazard” to public health or welfare. I’m also calling on the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to engage the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA’s expertise should be utilized in evaluating whether Vermont Yankee constitutes an imminent hazard, and they can potentially bring a lawsuit to enjoin Entergy from continuing to operate the plant under current conditions. Vermont should provide leadership, but must also work collaboratively with other states and federal agencies to comprehensively address this issue. With misstatements that were either incompetent or intentionally deceptive, Entergy has proven that they should not regulate themselves. Outside professional expertise will be crucial in independently documenting what is happening at Vermont Yankee and helping to protect Vermonters from shouldering the cost of the cleanup.
Today’s action is a step in the right direction, but leadership must continue to move smartly and aggressively to protect Vermonters today as well as planning for the future.
