Protesters hung a banner over State Street in Montpelier yesterday before the Senate vote on Vermont Yankee
The Senate’s decision to block a 20-year extension of Vermont Yankee’s license to operate generated the following prepared statements from Entergy Corporation and Vermont politicians:
Entergy Corporation
The effort to win a 20-year renewal of Vermont Yankee’s operating license is far from over. We remain determined to prove our case to the legislature, state officials and the Vermont public. The plant is a vital, safe and reliable source of clean power for Vermont and the rest of New England, and we will continue communicating to the public the substantial economic and environmental benefits of keeping the plant operating beyond 2012.
In the interim, we will remain focused on resolving the tritium issue, on operating the plant safely, reliably and securely, and on winning back the confidence and trust of the citizens of Vermont.
Gov. Jim Douglas
“It was a predictable outcome. The Senate is free to express its opinion, but it has little practical impact because it confirms the status quo. Absent an affirmative vote from the Legislature, the Public Service Board is not authorized to issue a Certificate of Public Good. It doesn’t change where we were this morning. This is little more than political theater.”
“This is no for now. It doesn’t change the law in any way and it can be revisited.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders
“When Vermont Yankee was built, the promise and expectation was that the plant would operate for 40 years and shut down. Today the Vermont Senate reconfirmed that long-established understanding. I agree with the Senate’s decision.
“This is a moment of tremendous opportunity for Vermont to become a world leader in the transformation to a cleaner, smarter and safer energy future. Along with aggressive efforts to achieve even greater energy efficiency, we also can take better advantage of our natural resources to develop sustainable technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. And as we move forward, I believe we also can create thousands of new, good-paying jobs in Vermont.”
The Progressive Party
“Last summer we indicated the best way to keep a Progressive out of the governor’s race was to move on three priorities of our party. Closing Vermont Yankee was a top priority so we are heartened by today’s news,” said Martha Abbott, state chair of the party. “I look forward to seeing similar bold action taken on implementing a single payer health care plan during the remainder of the legislative session.”
“Since our outset, Progressives have pushed to close Vermont Yankee,” said Morgan Daybell, party director. He points to the party’s statement of principles which calls for an end to nuclear power.
“I came to Montpelier with the hope of helping to create a new energy story in Vermont, and that story did not include Entergy after its scheduled closure date. We still have a long way to go with decommissioning and other big issues, and we’ll have to continue to be diligent,” said Brattleboro Representative Sarah Edwards. “But today is very gratifying.”
Sen. Susan Bartlett, candidate for governor
Susan Bartlett voted against re-licensing Vermont Yankee after 2012 in the Senate because she feels they are not worthy of the privilege.
She said that Entergy, the owner of Vermont Yankee, is working against their own purpose. “I believe it was Napoleon who said, ‘When the enemy is successfully defeating itself, don’t interrupt them.’ “
She said that the scariest testimony she heard was that no one has control over Vermont Yankee.
“We have an illegal discharge into Vermont waters, but it’s unclear who has jurisdiction. No one claims to have any authority. The Agency of Natural Resources should impose a fine now. We have businesses all the time who have illegal discharges and are fined.”
Still, she believes in the process that was in place before this vote was scheduled.
“I took comfort that our approach was to hire outside consultants. We had a good, thoughtful process. There are no guarantees what will happen, but we know there will be an economic impact.”
“This vote is not an act of courage. Education Reform was an act of courage. Civil Unions was an act of courage. Equal Marriage was an act of courage. This is a no-brainer.”
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I enjoyed Douglas’s reaction. This is the third time that the legislature has beaten him down and it was gratifying to see how he tried to slough it off as nothing, when for the third time he went down to defeat in a major issue. It’s also gratifying that the senate had the courage to stand up to him and Entergy on our behalf. As a lady in the big room eleven that day said, “The people do not get many victories. It is usually against us. This one was a win for us.”
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Entergy is really pulling out all the stops in regards to VY.
Even reverting to public bribery. I was at a show at the Colonial Theater in Keene NH the other night. The marquee had “Energy Presents” in huge letters above the show title.
Then at the beginning of the show the director of the theater gave thanks to Energy for sponsoring the show and everyone applauded. Well, not everyone. I booed.
It just discusted me that Entergy is trying to gain the community’s support now with money. I never heard of Entergy sponsoring anything high profile before now.