As I was reading a recent op-ed by a legislator, I was struck by his praise of the state's “aggressive oversight of Vermont Yankee” in its attempt to curb carbon emissions.
Yes, the state of Vermont leads in in-state low-carbon generation, but we buy more out-of-state fossil fuel than ever since Vermont Yankee closed. If this “aggressive oversight” in fact contributed to Vermont Yankee's closure, it cost Vermonters their largest zero-carbon-energy provider.
In just a few weeks, Vermonters will have the opportunity to voice their support for the sale of Vermont Yankee to NorthStar. However, if the same antagonism dressed up as “aggressive oversight” is applied to NorthStar, we could once again see an end to a project of economic and environmental value.
Let's not repeat mistakes that have already been made. NorthStar has a thorough decommissioning plan. I look forward to the approval of the sale and the strong economic future that will soon follow.
I worked with the employees at Vermont Yankee for many years, and I would like to comment on why it was such a safe workplace and neighbor. For starters, long before the first nuclear power plant went online, a commitment to safety was hard-wired into the cultural and organizational...
This year, several labor leaders stood in Peter Shumlin's office, seeking help with a bill that passed the House and would ensure people's homes are protected against faulty workmanship, house fires and even death. Shumlin said, “You stood with the enemy [businesses and supporters of Vermont Yankee], and now...