Group Urges Vermont Yankee License Renewal
At PSB Hearing They Note that Plant's Power is Critical
for Vermont's Economy and Quality of Life
Montpelier, VT/September 15, 2008 - The Vermont Energy Partnership, a diverse group of more than 90 business, labor, and community leaders as well as individual energy experts today reiterated its strong support for the license renewal of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station in Vernon.
At the Vermont Public Service Board hearing Monday on the license renewal of the plant and through written remarks, more than a dozen Partnership members will comment on the plant's importance and how it serves the public good. They addressed its safety record, its economic importance, and its role in mitigating pollution and keeping Vermont clean.
Below are excerpts.
On the Plant's Overall Importance to Vermont
"Vermont Yankee is a safe, highly scrutinized, and well operated facility that provides clean power to the region. Its license should be renewed. The continued operation of Vermont Yankee is vital to Vermont. It provides abundant and low-cost electricity, is an important component of our diverse power supply, produces practically zero greenhouse gas emissions, and provides substantial economic benefits for Vermont's economy. For economic and environmental reasons, Vermont's Yankee's license renewal makes compelling sense."
Brad Ferland
President
The Vermont Energy Partnership
On the Electricity Challenges at Hand
"Today, Vermont Yankee produces about 70 percent of all electricity produced in Vermont. This baseload production is without carbon, sulfur, mercury, or nitrogen oxides, all of which contribute to air pollution. Any substitute will require additional transmission and sightings. With today's technology, our baseload supply cannot be achieved through a combination of conservation, efficiencies and alternative supply. The alternative would have to be either coal or gas-fired generation creating pollution."
Milt Eaton
Former Vermont Secretary of Development and Community Affairs and Retired U.S. Department of Energy Official
On Environmental Benefits
"Vermont can proudly say it has one of the lowest carbon emitting electricity portfolios of any state in the U.S. largely because of Vermont Yankee's operation. For over thirty years, Vermont Yankee has been providing Vermont with one-third of its electricity without emitting carbon, nitrogen and sulfur dioxides that destroy air, water and land quality."
Jennifer Clancy
Environmentalist
On Economic Benefits
"The value of Vermont Yankee for the Windham County community is immense. The plant provides hundreds of jobs and large tax revenues. Should Vermont Yankee not be re-licensed, Windham County would lose a major contributor to our economy. The electric rate, because of Vermont Yankee, helps to keep many of our local employers competitive in the world market."
Dart Everett
Business Leader, Brattleboro, VT
On Safety
"Vermont Yankee's safety culture and practices ensure that the plant is one of the safest places in Vermont. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has nuclear energy experts at Vermont Yankee daily. These highly qualified individuals make sure that Vermont Yankee adheres to rigorous and comprehensive safety programs. Vermont Yankee has an excellent safety record and has consistently been given the NRC's highest annual safety rating - green."
Dennis McMahon
Community Leader, Chittenden County
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