Future of Vt. nuke plant unclear pending rate deal

Nuclear plant officials in Vt. say they're unsure about meeting deadline on power contracts

• By Lisa Rathke, Associated Press Writer
• On 11:16 am EDT, Wednesday October 7, 2009

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) -- Entergy Nuclear officials said Tuesday they aren't sure they will meet a Nov. 1 deadline to reach an agreement with the state's utility companies, leaving the future of Vermont Yankee power plant uncertain.

Legislative leaders set the deadline in July for the power-purchase agreement that Entergy had promised last year, saying they need to know what ratepayers will be charged to make an informed decision about whether to extend the plant's license another 20 years when it expires in 2012.

It's unclear what the delay will mean for consumers but Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said it could mean higher prices.

"It's in everybody's interest to get this resolved because right now power costs are relatively low. And it's in our constituents interests to make power decisions when prices are low not high," he said.

Entergy has been negotiating with Green Mountain Power Corp. and Central Vermont Public Service Corp. on a 20-year agreement but might not come up with a deal by November, said Jay Thayer, the plant's vice president of operations.

"I don't know if we can do that," he said at a forum on the state's energy future, held by Associated Industries of Vermont.

AIV focused on energy as the Legislature prepares to debate the future of Vermont Yankee and as contracts with the Hydro-Quebec utility near their expiration date, placing two-thirds of Vermont's energy supply in question.

As businesses discussed the state's energy future inside the hotel, outside protesters carrying signs called for the end of Vermont Yankee.

"We want Vermont Yankee to be decommissioned. It's just not safe," said Bessie Rose, 19, a University of Vermont student and Greenpeace volunteer from Chicago.

"I'm tired of seeing our neighbors in the southern part of the state being constantly exposed to the radioactive hazard of Vermont Yankee," said Brian Tokar, 54, of East Montpelier. "It's an old crumbling plant and it needs to be shut down."

Inside the conference, Department of Public Service Chairman David O'Brien urged Entergy to come up with the new contract and the Legislature to take a vote on the relicensing with or without it.

Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, who was not at the forum, balked at the request.

"I can't imagine a scenario where a legislator from any party would be willing to make a judgment of this magnitude about how much their constituents are going to have to shell out of their pockets for power without knowing what the deal is," he said in an interview.

Buzz up!