FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Guy Page, Communications Director, Vermont Energy Partnership 802-223-0575 (office), 802-505-0448 (cell), page@vtep.org
Montpelier, VT/February 22, 2010 – The Vermont Energy Partnership, along with business and labor organizations that represent the biggest employers and energy users in Vermont, urge the Vermont Senate to postpone their vote on Vermont Yankee until all studies and investigations have been completed in the coming weeks. This will enable data and information to be analyzed for the purposes of determining the license renewal of Vermont Yankee and its benefit for the public good. The following individuals spoke at the Feb. 22 press conference at the Vermont State House and have issued these statements:
Brad Ferland, President, Vermont Energy Partnership:
“The Vermont Energy Partnership urges lawmakers to postpone their Wednesday vote on Vermont Yankee in the Vermont Senate, because there are significant and relevant investigations being conducted with too many important questions left unanswered.
“The Governor has asked for a “time out” so that an investigative process could take place. Today, at least eight separate investigations and studies – including at least one specifically requested by legislative leaders – are still pending. A legislative vote of such importance to Vermont’s economic future should not be taken until investigations are complete and the facts are available.”
Specific pending investigations include:
–A study commissioned by the Legislative Joint Fiscal Office on the revenue impact of Vermont Yankee is more than 18-months in the making but today has not been completed. An update to a comprehensive vertical audit report about the plant is pending. These reports will contain invaluable data and perspective about Vermont Yankee.
–Investigations by the Public Service Department, Vermont Attorney General, and an outside investigation by Entergy’s law firm have not been completed.
–From the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other independent experts, there has been no indication that the tritium contamination poses a health or safety threat.”
John O’Kane, IBM:
“The cost of energy is a critical factor in IBM’s operating expense and changing the source of one third of Vermont’s energy portfolio without a well thought out plan for alternatives seems reckless. There are very significant issues with the continued operation of Vermont Yankee as evidenced by events of recent weeks. These issues need to be resolved before the Public Service Board can make a fully informed decision on Vermont Yankee’s future.
“The rush to make a decision at this point in time, when the Governor has asked for time to assess all information, is very troubling. Vermont should seek all available information prior to making critical decisions affecting its energy and economic future. There does not seem to be a responsible reason to rush this decision at this point.”
Frank Cioffi, Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation:
“The Vermont business community is concerned that a decision of great importance to Vermont’s economic future is being made without crucial information. At stake are an estimated 1300 jobs, $93 million in payroll, and over $10 million in state revenue. Vermont ratepayers stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue sharing that are contingent upon relicensing. In addition, the loss of a large, high-tech facility will result in significant “brain drain” as current employees leave the state and skilled young Vermonters will have one less potential instate employer. And finally, losing Vermont Yankee would likely force our utilities to buy more fossil-fuel electricity, with adverse consequences on regional and global air quality.
“We must base our decisions on information, not fear. There is too little information upon which to base a sound decision. We ask that the many pending state investigations be completed before a vote is held.”
George Clain, IBEW Local #300:
“Closing the plant would inflict massive economic damage in terms of lost jobs, disposable income, and tax revenues. The IBEW recently retained Vermont economist Richard Heaps to dispassionately and scientifically evaluate these impacts, using 2009 data. The study found that the total number of jobs created in Vermont by Vermont Yankee is 1,288, with an annual payroll of $93.3 million. As a result Vermonters’ disposable income was $78.5 million higher in 2009 than it otherwise would have been.
“These jobs would be all but impossible to replace, and the consequences of losing them would be especially stark in southern Vermont. Heaps’ report notes that job growth in Windham County has lagged that of the state in nine of the last 10 years. Windham County has lost jobs every year since 1999.
“The jobs and income are also important for providing taxes for government services. Vermont Yankee and the economic activity which is facilitated throughout the state as a result of the plant’s operation resulted in $7.67 million in General Funds taxes in 2009 and $4.94 million in Education Fund taxes, which covers the cost of educating 352 students.”
Jeffrey Lewis, Executive Director, Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation:
“We in Windham County have experienced a string of plant closings over the past twenty years that have decimated our manufacturing environment and our job base. The only reason our unemployment rate has stayed relatively comparable to the rest of Vermont is that we have also lost population and workforce–that is not a good situation. To consciously create a situation that will make it harder for us to attract and grow businesses is ill advised at best.”
Vermont business and trade groups wishing to postpone the Senate vote include:
* Addison County Economic Development Corporation
* Associated General Contractors of Vermont
* Associated Industries of Vermont
* Bennington County Industrial Corporation
* Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
* Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
* Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation
* Green Mountain Dairy Farmers Cooperative Federation
* Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation
* Homebuilders & Remodelers Association of VT
* IBEW Local 300
* IBM – International Business Machines
* Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce
* Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
* NFIB/VT – National Federation of Independent Business/VT
* Rutland Economic Development Corporation
* Springfield Regional Development Corporation
* Town of Vernon
* Vermont AFL-CIO
* Vermont Business Roundtable
* Vermont Chamber of Commerce
* Vermont Forest Products Association
* Vermont Fuel Dealers Association
* Vermont Grocers’ Association
* Vermont Ski Areas Association
* Vermont Vehicle & Automotive Distributors Association
The Vermont Energy Partnership (www.vtep.org) is a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community leaders committed to finding clean, affordable and reliable electricity solutions to ensure Vermont stays a great place to live and work. Our mission is to educate policy makers, the media, businesses, and the general public about optimal solutions to preserve and expand our electricity network. Entergy, owner of Vermont Yankee, is a member of the Vermont Energy Partnership.
