At a press conference held today at the Vermont State House, four Vermont senators urged the Legislature to consider the “Consensus Economic and Fiscal Impact Analyses Associated with the Future of the Vermont Yankee Power Plant” prepared by Tom Kavet of Kavet Rockler & Associates, LLC and Jeff Carr of Economic & Policy Resources, Inc. The analyses, based on information from numerous economic and energy experts, finds relicensing Vermont Yankee and adopting a strong renewable energy policy will yield “the largest average positive employment and other economic impacts, with immediate job gains, no job losses and lower long term power bills.”
The executive summary of this report can be read at: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/VY%20Legislative%20Briefing/Economic%20An.... This independent report, commissioned by the Joint Fiscal Office at the request of the Vermont Legislature and 16 months in the making, reviews the energy and economic impact of four possible Vermont energy scenarios, and concludes Vermont would be best served by relicensing Vermont Yankee and pursuing more renewable energy. It was prepared in collaboration with Synapse Energy Economics, Inc., the Department of Public Service, Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service Corporation.
Senator Phil Scott (R-Washington):
“Vermont’s 21st century power portfolio and economy requires reliable base load power and the development of more renewable power resources. We urge the Legislature to consider the long-term interests of the Vermont economy, environment, and quality of life. Relicensing Vermont Yankee and building more renewable power infrastructure will ensure that Vermont has a diverse, affordable, reliable energy portfolio.”
Sen. Richard Mazza (D-Grand Isle):
“This report is the product of thorough work and dispassionate analyses by well respected state economists. It provides important and comprehensive information that legislators should know so they can best help chart Vermont’s energy and economic future.”
Sen. Peg Flory (R-Rutland):
“The Vermont Legislature should be proud of this carefully researched analysis on one of the most important decisions facing Vermont’s energy future. I encourage all of us to carefully read this study and its findings. Indeed, we owe that to the people of Vermont. When the Senate voted against relicensing, I proposed an amendment seeking more time to wait for the pending publication of important information, particularly this report. Had this report been available in February, the vote may well have had a very different outcome.”
Sen. Robert Starr (D-Essex/Orleans)
“This report outlines how Vermont can have job growth. This isn’t rocket science; our businesses need a reliable source of base load power over the long-term in order to create jobs and grow our economy.”
Business and labor leaders who had also called for a “time-out” before the Senate vote support the Senators call today to utilize the carefully researched analysis provided on the most important decisions facing Vermont economic and energy future. These groups include the following:
• Associated General Contractors of Vermont
• Associated Industries of Vermont
• Bennington County Industrial Corporation
• Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation
• Franklin County Industrial Development Corporation
• Greater Burlington Industrial Corporation
• Green Mountain Dairy Farmers Cooperative Federation
• Green Mountain Economic Development Corporation
• Homebuilders & Remodelers Association of VT
• IBEW Local 300
• IBM – International Business Machines
• Lake Champlain Islands Chamber of Commerce
• Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Lamoille Economic Development Corporation
• NFIB/VT - National Federation of Independent Business/VT
• Springfield Regional Development Corporation
• Town of Vernon
• United Dairy Farmers of Vermont
• Vermont Business Roundtable
• Vermont Chamber of Commerce
• Vermont Forest Products Association
• Vermont Fuel Dealers Association
• Vermont Grocers’ Association
• Vermont Ski Areas Association
• Vermont Vehicle & Automotive Distributors Association
Vermont state senators urge consideration of newly-issued report on Vermont Yankee
Submitted by tim
on