Vermont Senate votes against Vermont Yankee relicensure, 26-4

that's huge! (4.00 / 1)

Entergy made their own bed, and I'm confident they'll continue to lie in it - and from it.  

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by: susanthe @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 14:20:19 PM CST

Hodes statement helped build momentum ? (4.00 / 2)

I listened on VPR's live feed, h/t Christian.
I have to believe Congressman Hodes call yesterday to 'shut it down' helped build a wave of momentum for today's VT Senate vote in the numbers we saw. This was not a foregone conclusion, was it ?

Not in the shot

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 14:26:00 PM CST

It made a HUGE difference. (4.00 / 6)

The fact that a major political figure outside of Vermont spoke out against Vermont Yankee was telling. It's a New Hampshire issue on so many levels and quite frankly, he's taking more of a leadership on this issue than our own Peter Welch. Welch has always been mum on the plant with the exception of calling an investigation after the first Tritium leak. That was that. Hodes called for an investigation when he heard about it the first time. When he heard about the second leak, he called for a shutdown. THAT was impressive. I think the Vermont Senate took his comments VERY seriously leading up to today's vote. How could it not have an affect?  

Thank you Paul Hodes.

So will it make everyone happy now if I said I'd like to campaign for Hodes this fall? : )  

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by: NH Ex-pat @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 14:36:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Vermont Senate Votes to Close Nuclear Plant (0.00 / 0)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02...
Vermont Senate Votes to Close Nuclear Plant
By MATTHEW L. WALD
Published: February 24, 2010
MONTPELIER, Vt. - In an unusual state foray into nuclear regulation, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 Wednesday to block a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, citing radioactive leaks, misstatements in testimony by plant officials and other problems.

Unless the chamber reverses itself, it would be the first time in more than 20 years that the public or its representatives decided to close a reactor.

The vote came barely over a week after President Obama declared a new era of rebirth for the nation's nuclear industry, announcing federal loan guarantees of $8.3 billion to assure the construction of a twin-reactor plant near Augusta, Ga.

Not in the shot

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 16:00:11 PM CST

Great news. (4.00 / 1)

Here's Hodes' statement:

"Vermont Yankee has broken the trust of families on both sides of the Connecticut River," said Hodes.  "To get to the bottom of the leak and to ensure the safety of our residents, the plant must close until the leak is fixed.  Strong and immediate action must be taken to hold Yankee officials accountable for the dangerous situation that they have created. We must also ensure that all of the workers are taken care of now and in any transition at the plant."

birch, finch, beech

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by: Dean Barker @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 18:41:33 PM CST

"Strong and immediate action" is needed (0.00 / 0)

to address a clear and present danger. Toyota shows, the corporate story changes while the investigating continues. When profits get pinched, answers start flowing. Profits are more important than people in corporate America.

Not in the shot

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by: JonnyBBad @ Wed Feb 24, 2010 at 20:16:56 PM CST

Setting Its Own Course (0.00 / 0)

While on vacation, the proprietor of a store told me she was from Vermont and was proud of how strongly the Second Vermont Republic is supported.

Think about it: people deciding their own fate, not having nukes rammed down their throats by a distant, corporate run federal government!

Something that could appeal to the breakaway Tea Partiers and appeal to the left as well.

May the Second Vermont Republic (the first being 1777-91) lead the way into a more democratic, self-governing future.

No'm Sayn?

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by: BurtCohen @ Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 19:32:02 PM CST