VT Legislature Votes to End Nuke Plant, But Company Runs Crying to the Feds

from OtherWords:




By Jim Hightower


The nuclear power boys are weaseling again, this time in Vermont.

Entergy Corporation, an electric utility giant based in New Orleans, owns the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, which is nearing the end of its 40-year license to operate.

No problem, here's a 20-year extension of your license, said the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (a notorious industry lapdog). But, wait, said Vermont officials. Entergy signed an agreement with us to seek state approval for continuing to operate the 40-year old reactor--and our legislature has decided, in a word, "no."

So the corporation has gone running to federal court to weasel out of its state agreement, arguing that federal authority takes precedent over local on nuclear matters. Entergy insists that decisions made by Vermont's legislature are "political," whereas the NRC decision to extend the license is made by "experts." Besides, says an Entergy executive, Vermont Yankee has gotten good safety and performance ratings from an industry group. So trust us, says Entergy. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.otherwords.org/articles/entergy_goes_nuclear_over_vermonts_decision

I can't see how the answer could be "no", but I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

Even if AZ eventually loses, local governments have always had permitting/zoning/etc powers within their jurisdictions. It's possible that AZ can't step on federal toes re: immigration, but VT can still determine whether or not to allow a nuclear plant to stay open.

And even if they lost, their taxing power probably trumps anything VT Yankee can do. If a court rules with the power company that it can stay open, the state can always impose a new tax on all nuclear power that makes it impossible to operate.

Filthy, antique technology with lethal permanent waste as a side effect.

What's to like?

is that Entergy wants more time to find a buyer for VT Yankee. The plant is up for sale and the LAST thing Entergy wants is to get stuck with the bill for shutting it down. They only want the profit coming in and don't want any of the responsibility that they AGREED TO UNDERTAKE. So they want to weasel out of a contract, walk away with all the money, and say to Vermonters (and the many people in NH also affected): So long, suckers! Or, alternative scenario: find a buyer for the plant and walk away, telling that outfit: It's your problem now, suckers!

And contract for sale would require that the plant be approved to remain open as a condition of the purchase.

It doesn't matter if the feds have authority on nuclear matters. It doesn't matter if the legislature is acting politically. They signed a freaking contract, that's what matters. Their lawyers should know that.

Of course the truth is that their lawyers do know that and they're just trying to come up with any bullcrap argument they can to try and get out of a signed contract.

the plant is on to prohibit the continued use a a power plant.

If the existing law can't win the day, then tax 'em out of town.

Is there enough power available for VT utilities to buy to keep the lights on?