House panel report critical of Vermont Yankee

The Public Oversight Panel’s report created by Act 189 of the Vermont General Assembly was released today. The panel was charged with providing information about the comprehensive vertical audit and reliability assessment of the Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee nuclear plant to the legislature as it determines whether the plant should be authorized to operate beyond the expiration of its current license. The Public Oversight Panel’s report is critical to the legislature’s decision regarding whether or not to approve the continued operation of Vermont Yankee.
The Panel has concluded that there are serious concerns that need to be addressed before an assurance of reliability can be met. The Panel found several significant areas of concern with the plant.
“The Panel’s concerns about continued operation of the plant are significant and not easy to resolve,” said Chairman Klein. “These concerns include the management of the plant, the low ranking of equipment reliability ENVY has received, high staff turnover, and many others.
“Risks associated with the reliability of the plant need to be addressed before final decision making about the continued operation of the plant,” said Chairwoman Lyons. “This report adds to concerns the legislature has identified, including the lack of a power purchaseagreement, decommissioning and spent fuel storage.”
The Panel was designed to further transparency, public oversight and the public’s involvement in the reliability assessment of the plant. The independent safety assessment is critical to Vermont’s energy future and the panel’s report of this assessment has brought to light significant concerns regarding the reliability of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant.
“As we pursue a reliable, clean and affordable energy future it is critical that Vermonters are assured of the reliability of relying on this aging plant,” said Chairwoman Cummings. “The independent reliability assessment of Vermont Yankee is critical to Vermont’s energy future and we will weigh the concerns of the panel before proceeding with a decision about the plant’s reliability.”