Vermont Business Magazine Athree-judge Licensing Board of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on Thursday grantedthe State of Vermont’s request that Entergy provide additional details to the State regarding reimbursements from the Vermont Yankee Decommissioning Trust Fund. Entergy filed a license amendment request a year ago to remove the requirement that it provide 30 days notice to the State and others of its intent to withdraw money from that fund. When the Vermont Attorney General and the Vermont Department of Public Service moved for a hearing on the matter, the Licensing Boardagreedand granted the State’s request. Entergy then attempted to abandon its request for a license amendment by moving to withdraw from this matter. As part of Entergy’s withdrawal from the proceeding, the State of Vermont asked the Board to order conditions, including providing additional information about its withdrawals from the Trust Fund.
Today the Licensing Board agreed with part of the State’s request and ordered Entergy to provide notice before certain withdrawals that the State has objected to, such as for property taxes or attorney’s fees unrelated to decommissioning the plant. “We are glad the Board agreed that Entergy needs to notify us of certain withdrawals so we can watch the fund to make sure the money is still there to pay to decommission the site,” said Attorney General Sorrell.
Department of Public Service Commissioner Christopher Recchia agreed: “I am pleased that the Licensing Board has seen the wisdom of Entergy notifying us of specific expenditures from the decommissioning trust fund. I think this will help us in being able to ensure that the funds are used appropriately and that decommissioning can occur at the earliest possible time.”
Vermont AG: Oct 15, 2015