Governor Douglas Signs Vermont Yankee
Comprehensive Assessment Bill
Legislation
to identify process for inspection of the states nuclear plant
Montpelier, Vermont
(June 6, 2008) The legislation requiring
the inspection of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant was be signed into law
today by Governor Jim Douglas. The bill, S 364, provides guidelines for the
steps to be taken in the evaluation of the operating systems within the nuclear
plant in Vernon, Vermont.
The safe and reliable operation of Vermont Yankee remains a top
priority, said Governor Douglas. While there is an existing NRC
process that examines the safety of nuclear facilities, participation by Vermont in this inspection
will significantly enhance the process and provide us an opportunity to make
certain that safety is paramount.
Governor Douglas had sent a letter to NRC officials earlier this year
in which he clearly requested additional resources and attention for the
plants inspection. Since then, state administration officials have
worked extensively to make sure the legislation signed today did not conflict
with federal law.
Public Service Commissioner David OBrien said the legislation
adds significant value to the Vermont Yankee evaluation. While the
Nuclear Regulatory Commissions procedure for plant inspections is approached
similarly across the nation, the cooling tower collapse and temporary shutdown in
2007 gave the Governor concern about the continued operation of the
plant, said OBrien. He (the Governor) made it very clear
that he wanted a systematic review of Vermont Yankee to determine the status of
the facility, said OBrien.
The legislation signed into law today incorporates feedback from the
administration, legislators, community leaders and a host of stakeholders.
It is comprehensive in every sense of the word. We are confident that
upon the completion of this process we will have a very accurate understanding
of the plants safety reliability, said OBrien.
The key features of S 364, the Comprehensive Vertical Audit and Reliability
Assessment, are:
An oversight panel
of three people, to be appointed by Governor Douglas, Speaker Symington
and Senator Shumlin. This panel will provide oversight and consultation to
the Department of Public Service and other experts, as necessary.
Selection of an
audit inspection team of qualified experts as necessary to conduct all or
any part of the comprehensive reliability assessment;
An outline of seven
systems within the plant to be examined, and the methodology to be
considered.
While the costs of the inspection are unknown at this time, the
Department of Public Service estimates that the price could be as high as $1
million; the money for this endeavor will come from Entergy.
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Jason Gibbs
Governors
Communications Director
109
State Street ¨ The Pavilion ¨ Montpelier,
VT 05609-0101 ¨ www.vermont.gov/governor
Telephone: 802.828.3333 ¨ Fax: 802.828.3339 ¨ TDD: 802.828.3345