Statement on the Settlement Agreement Reached Between Entergy and the State of Vermont

by Not Signed In | Business | 2118 Views

from:
Jenna Pugliese, Chair of Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS)
Stephan Morse, Chair of SeVEDS Post Vermont Yankee Task Force
Dan Normandeau, Chair of Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation

We are encouraged by today’s announcement and believe this is a positive step forward in the effort to not-only revitalize the regional economy, but to l help with the loss of over 650 highly paid jobs and the impacts those job losses have on the lives of the VY employee families. While we remain concerned about the overall impact the closure of Vermont Yankee will have on the regional economy, today’s announcement is a very positive step which accelerates the path forward.

Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategies (SeVEDS) has been working since 2007, and officially organized in 2011, to evaluate and strategize recovery of the 20 year economic decline in Windham County. The telltale symptoms of that decline have been stagnant wages, population loss, and loss of younger population. SeVEDS has successfully engaged both the public and private sector in supporting, developing, and implementing long term strategies for improving our economy.

SeVEDS has recently completed a draft of a federally recognized Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) which outlines strategies and actions for improving the regional economy including mitigating the VY closure impacts. This document can be found at http://www.seveds.com/ Today’s announcement allows the region to step up the implementation of critical projects resulting from the significant planning that has been underway.

On October 28th, 2013 BDCC, SeVEDS and Post VY testified to the House Commerce and Economic Development and House Natural Resources and Energy Committees about minimizing the economic impact that would result from the closure. That testimony can be found here: http://seveds.com/testimony/

SeVEDS is affiliated with and staffed by the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp (BDCC), the regional development corporation serving Windham County. BDCC has a 59 year history of helping to grow jobs in Windham County through business assistance and real estate redevelopment. Most recently, BDCC has taken the lead in business and economic recovery efforts from severe flooding in 2011 and continues to be engaged in those efforts.

SeVEDS and BDCC will continue working closely with the Windham Regional Commission, our local municipalities, regional businesses and state and federal government by taking swift and decisive action to not only stabilize but to reinvigorate the Southeastern Vermont economy.

….

Pat Moulton Powden, Executive Director, BDCC pmpowden@brattleborodevelopment.com 802-451-9578

Laura Sibilia, Director of Economic Development, BDCC lsibilia@brattleborodevelopment.com 802-384-0233

Comments | 3

  • Submitted by cgrotke on December 23, 2013 at 2:02 pm

    WCAX reports:

    “Under the plan announced Monday, Entergy will pay $10-million in economic development for the area, $5-million dollars to the state, and set aside another $25-million to pay for site restoration.

    The State has agreed not to fight Entergy’s continued operation through 2014. They also agreed to start decommissioning as soon as there is enough money to do so. The company has also agreed to move spent fuel pools into dry casks by 2021.”

    • Submitted by tomaidh on December 23, 2013 at 3:06 pm

      Good News

      “The company has also agreed to move spent fuel pools into dry casks by 2021.”
      That’s truly good news!

  • Submitted by cgrotke on December 26, 2013 at 8:23 am

    CAN says

    “Press Release CAN:
    December 23, 2013
    Contact Person:
Deb Katz, Citizens Awareness Network, 413-339-5781

    CAN Statement on VT’s Agreement with Entergy Vermont Yankee – Statement of Deb Katz, Executive Director, Citizens Awareness Network, on agreement between state of Vermont and Entergy Vermont Yankee

    http://www.nukebusters.org

    We appreciate the commitments negotiated by the state of Vermont for Vermonters and the tri-state community. CAN’s primary concern has been the removal of the spent fuel from the fuel pool to dry cask storage in a timely manner. The agreement on the development of a plan to accomplish this is critical. The retention of the state’s oversight authority is important as well. We also appreciate the fact that the skilled workforce will be employed in site surveying upon closure. We are hopeful that this agreement can set the stage for thorough and responsible decommissioning of the Vermont Yankee plant.

    ##

    And here is a link to the Settlement Agreement.

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