WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Clock Still Ticking on Vt. Yankee Deal

Clock Still Ticking on Vt. Yankee Deal

Vernon, Vermont - November 19, 2009

The clock is still ticking on a power deal between Vermont power companies and Yankee Nuclear.

Entergy wants to keep operating for another 20 years past 2012.

Lawmakers set a deadline of November 1 for a new power purchase price between Yankee and Vermont utilities. They say without knowing what Vermonters will have to pay for power they won't vote on a license extension this session. But Vermont's Public Service Commissioner, David O'Brien, says the nuclear plant provides an economic boost to the region and that should be considered as well.

"A whole bunch of people work there and make their livings doing so and support the economy around it and that's something that's not really talked about," O'Brien said. "I think it's important that there be a power arrangement with the facility because it is part of the reason why you host a generating station. And at the end of the day I still believe we can reach an accommodation here where we can say we have a power agreement that really makes sense for the long term."

Entergy says it's likely to offer a power price to the state's utilities by the middle of next month.

Kristin Carlson - WCAX News