WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Vt. Yankee Vote in Question

Vt. Yankee Vote in Question

Montpelier, Vermont - November 2, 2009

A deadline set by lawmakers for a new power price contract between Yankee Nuclear and Vermont Utilities has passed. And now legislative leaders say they may not vote on the plant's future this session.

Yankee Nuclear provides a third of Vermont's power. Entergy wants to keep the Vernon plant operating for another 20 years, past 2012. Part of a new license, means new negotiations between Yankee and Vermont utilities for a power price. Talks are taking longer then expected, so Vermont lawmakers set a November first deadline for a deal.

"We're definitely disappointed," said Democratic House Speaker Shap Smith.

Vermont Lawmakers say they need to know the price of power, before holding a vote on relicensing the plant. They want to know the impact on Vermonter's wallets.

"What it means is it will be incredibly difficult for us to have a vote on the continued operation of Vermont Yankee next year," said Smith.

Vermont Yankee's power at 4 cents a killowatt hour used to be well below what it would cost to buy power on the open market, but now market prices are closer to 3 cents a kilowatt hour and Bob Stannard, an opponent to Yankee, says that's part of why there is no new contract, Entergy is not in a strong negotiating position.

"The good deal we are getting from Yankee today is actually not a good deal," said Bob Stannard with Citizens Action Network.

While it's still unclear when lawmakers will hold a vote on Yankee, Vermont utilities are now moving ahead looking for other power sources.

Both Green Mountain Power and Central Vermont Public Service have plans to get power, in part on the open market, if there is no Yankee power. But Public Service Commissioner David O'Brien says he's confident there will be a deal and lawmakers should not delay the vote another year.

Said O'Brien, "They need to decide fundamentally can the live with a Vermont Yankee in their future or not."

O'Brien says state regulators can't vote on the license extension and utilities can't make final plans, until lawmakers move first.

"It's coming into the year 2010. It's time to vote and decide this and whether it's a positive or a negative vote we need to know where we are going."

One thing all sides agree on, power from any source in the future, will likely cost more.

Kristin Carlson - WCAX-News