NEWFANE — Re: “Vermonters, take action against VY's defiant operation” [Letters, Feb. 1].
While it may be true that the majority of readers of this newspaper agree with this position, it's false to assert that the majority of Vermonters want Vermont Yankee shut down.
According to a statewide survey conducted by Research 2000 of Rockville, Md. in February of 2010, 49 percent of Vermonters want the plant shut down. According to a VPR poll conducted in late 2010, 44 percent of Vermonters oppose continued operation.
These numbers show that while a significant number of us would like to see VY shut down, equally significant numbers would like to see it continue to operate or are undecided about the issue.
Consequently, the statement that “A majority of Vermonters knows that Vermont Yankee has run its course and needs to be shut down as originally licensed” is simply false.
Educating people as to your position might be helpful in convincing an actual majority of its worth.
Civil disobedience, on the other hand, doesn't answer the questions that many of us have about whether or not VY should continue to operate. In fact, it doesn't contribute to any sort of discussion at all.
While enjoyably cathartic, it serves little practical purpose, and may in fact backfire as it alienates many people.