“This is the right decision for Vermont as we move to a greener energy future.
Entergy’s announcement today confirms what we have known for some time. Operating and maintaining this aging nuclear facility is too expensive in today’s world. Vermont utilities no longer have contracts with Vermont Yankee, and our regional grid is not reliant upon it for stability. Vermont has made clear its desire to move toward more sustainable, renewable sources of electricity, and many of our surrounding states are doing likewise.
Vermont Yankee was built with an expectation that it would operate for a limited period of years. While it is no secret that Vermont and Entergy have disagreed on how long that should be, it is now clear that Vermont Yankee is a part of the energy past, and will not be a part of our energy future.
I spoke with Entergy Chairman and CEO Leo Denault today and we agreed to move beyond our past disputes and work cooperatively toward a timely shutdown and a smooth transition for VY workers and the surrounding communities in Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I grew up in Windham County and I know that the closure of this plant will be a significant upheaval for the region, and for the state as a whole. We have been preparing for this day through education and economic development efforts in the region, and we will redouble our efforts now that the closure date for the plant is certain.
For the workers at Vermont Yankee, who will directly feel the pain of job loss, I pledge the resources of my administration to move quickly to provide the training and services they will need. I will work closely with the legislature, our federal delegation, the local towns and business organizations, and my fellow governors in Massachusetts and New Hampshire to support the Vermont Yankee workforce and the affected communities. We will also focus on the timely decommissioning of the plant to return the site to a greenfield capable of other productive economic uses as swiftly as possible.”
Spoken like a true politician
Peter Shumlin’s press release is spoken like the sleazy politician that he is. The real truth is that Vermont utilities do not use VY power because his administration pressured them not to. Last night an official of the New England power grid stated that it will be necessary for them to fire up some production facilities that rely on coal and gas, thus causing more air pollution and greenhouse gasses. So much for our regional grid not being reliant on the power from VY. So much for the greening of our region.
The town of Vernon will be devastated. The Vernon Elementary School will be severely impacted. Most of the schools in our region will lose excellent teachers and staff members who will be forced to move on with their spouses. Our communities will lose some wonderful people who have become contributing members of out communities. Shumlin’s administration has not helped all of those who lost their jobs with the IBM layoffs. They will not help here either. Platitudes do not buy the groceries.
For the record, I have never been a VY employee and have no relatives who are. I do not live in Vernon and never have. I am not a Republican. I am not even an adamant supporter of VY. I just have a very low tolerance for our so called governor’s political effluent.