July 13, 2010
The Honorable Gregory B. Jaczko
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001
Dear Chairman Jaczko:
On behalf of our more than 90 member organizations and community leaders who include, among others, businesses and labor organizations that represent the biggest employers and energy users in the State of Vermont, we are writing to express our concern and disappointment that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has denied our participation in the stakeholder meeting on Wednesday, July 14.
In our view, having a one-sided stakeholder meeting with anti-nuclear activists to discuss the future of Vermont Yankee during your visit to the state sends a negative message to supporters about the NRC’s position on this issue who are looking to your agency for fact-based assessments, analysis, and determinations that will affect Vermont’s economic recovery and future way of life.
Vermont Yankee’s continued safe and reliable operation is very important to Vermont’s economy. The plant directly and indirectly employs more than 1,200 workers in Vermont and is essential to keeping Vermont’s electricity prices competitive and our air clean.
Though we have repeatedly sought an audience with you during your visit, we are formally requesting that you grant us time to meet with you and senior members of your staff to speak with us and other business and labor leaders in Vermont. This will enable you to more appropriately gauge the issues surrounding the continued operation of this facility beyond the viewpoints of anti-nuclear activists with who you have a scheduled meeting tomorrow.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We urge you to reply favorably to our request as soon as possible so we can make the appropriate arrangements for a meeting tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Brad Ferland President
Cc:
Joshua C. Batkin, Chief of Staff
John D. Monninger, Deputy Chief of Staff
Diane Screnci, Senior Public Affairs Officer
Neil A. Sheehan, Public Affairs Officer
