nuclear-news

Vermont looks to renewable energy – shuts down Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant

The shutdown came just after noon as the Vermont Yankee plant completed its 30th operating cycle when workers inserted control rods into the reactor core and stopped the nuclear reaction process, the plant’s owner said………..

The plant will sit for decades while its radioactive components cool and its decommissioning fund grows. It’s expected to cost nearly $1.25bn to dismantle the plant, which likely won’t occur until the 2040s or later.

Vermont governor Peter Shumlin, who had pushed for the closing of the plant, said the closing is a positive step for the state.

“Today, thanks to investments in renewable energy such as solar, Vermont’s energy future is on a different, more sustainable path that is creating jobs, reducing energy costs for Vermonters and slowing climate change,” Shumlin said……..

Vermont Public Service Commissioner Chris Recchia said Monday the state hasn’t received power from the plant in almost three years. “We are moving full speed ahead with local, sustainable no-carbon renewable in Vermont.”

Marcia Blomberg, a spokeswoman for ISO New England, which manages the regional electric grid, said the loss of power from Vermont Yankee wouldn’t pose a problem, but the region faces long-term challenges from the loss of number of older power plants……..http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/29/vermont-shutters-nuclear-power-plant-yankee

December 31, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | business and costs, USA