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Vermont nuclear reactor’s future? Legislators unhappy about radiation leaks

Radiation Levels Cloud Vermont reactor’s Fate The New York Times January 27, 2010 By MATTHEW L. WALD

Levels of radioactive tritium have risen rapidly in recent weeks in the groundwater surrounding Vermont’s sole nuclear power plant, leading both longtime supporters and foes of the reactor to question whether it will be allowed to keep operating…….the rising radiation levels, an indication that reactor water is leaking into the soil, have stirred deep concern about the plant’s safety and the credibility of its operators……

Dozens of reactors around the country have had their 40-year licenses extended by 20 years without much debate. Under the Atomic Energy Act, such decisions are usually the sole purview of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

But Vermont struck a deal with Entergy when it bought the plant in 2002 that gave legislators a veto role. An official with the federal nuclear commission noted that if the state blocked a license renewal, Entergy could file a court challenge.

Vermont Yankee is the largest generator of power in Vermont. But New England’s power grid has a surplus of electricity because of the recession. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/business/energy-environment/28nuclear.html

January 29, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, reactor