WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Governor weighing Yankee appeal

Governor weighing Yankee appeal

Morrisville, Vermont - January 23, 2012

Vermont has not decided whether to appeal a court ruling that prevents the state from closing the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant -- The talk of appeal came up Monday at a business meeting in Morrisville.

"Welcome to our first chamber coffee mixer of the year," said Cindy Locke with the Lamoille Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Those who run small businesses in Lamoille County meet and talk business over coffee. These meetings also play a critical role during the legislative session. Rubbing elbows with the business community are lawmakers who are drafting budgets and laws. Chamber members who pay taxes and hire people -- give feedback to policy makers.

Governor Peter Shumlin is the guest speaker. Just back from Utah where he was trying to entice outdoor gear companies to locate in Vermont. The Governor suggests promoting Vermont as a destination for recreation. "You don't do outdoor in Maine, New Hampshire or New York, Connecticut. or Rhode Island like Vermont, so we have to tell our story better. We have to put our resources in travel and tourism to get the word out," Shumlin said.

The Governor's trip came at the same time Vermont got the word on the future of Vermont Yankee. One person asked what is the next step now that a judge has ruled the plant can stay open.

"I am not going to comment to much on that because we are still digesting the opinion and I have not had the  opportunity to meet with my lawyers or my team," Shumlin said.

A federal judge says the federal government has the right to regulate nuclear power plants not Vermont. The decision disappointed the Governor who led the charge to close the plant.  The Governor had little to say, but did take a swipe at Yankee's owners and the judge's ruling. Shumlin criticized part of the ruling that said the state can not force Vermont Yankee to give it low wholesale rates. "This thing is going to keep running and we don't get any of the benefit and the judge has suggested that the Public Service Board can't consider that in their decision. It is going to go to the Public Service board, that is certainly clear, and I have a lot of confidence in the Public Service Board."

The Public Service Board is a three member panel that could give Yankee a Certificate of Public Good to keep operating. issues like environmental contamination, economic benefit and the reliability of the plant could land in the board's lap--giving the state another shot at shutting down the plant.

Related Stories:

Judge rules in favor of Vermont Yankee

Lawmakers, VPIRG react to Vermont Yankee Ruling