I think a lot of joy that many of us feel about the closing of Vermont Yankee is tempered by regret over the loss of jobs, family income, tax revenues, and all that.
It's especially regrettable that Entergy proved itself unworthy of public trust in its approach to running the plant. How much better would it have been, had the company been willing to make the long-term investment in the region to transition from a dangerous (in the long term) and outmoded (in the present term) technology, to something more sustainable?
Instead, Entergy chose the conventional path of the corporate bottom line: cut and run. Bet your bottom dollar, they'll try and walk away from it altogether within the next five to 10 years.
A lot of my friends, people whom I really respect for their decades-long commitment to this cause, are just celebrating outright, and I don't begrudge them that. But personally, I just can't find it in me to share in the celebration.
I didn't like VY. And the corporate leadership of Entergy was and is simply awful! The plant was not designed to run forever and needed to be phased out, sooner or later. The failure of supporters to recognize and concede this reality is understandable, but unfortunate nonetheless.
There is a real tragedy here in the loss of jobs, income, tax revenues, etc. I hope I'm wrong, but I believe it's going to be a big hit on a regional economy that's already in terrible shape.
The lesson here is the same as it is all over the U.S.A. Corporations pursue narrow self-interest, adhering to the short-term bottom line, rather than long-term sustainability and investment in communities. It's profits over people, all the way, an ethos that continues to poison the so-called American dream.
There's so much work that needs doing, to reinvent our economy. I hope our kids are up to the task, because we have failed miserably. -Peter Simoneaux, Langdon, N.H.
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Being new to the area, and having never lived so close to a nuclear power plant (2 miles away), and being a proponent of nuclear options, I'm of a different mindset than most.
Sure, there have been accidents, but there are car crashes, airplanes fall from the sky, we contract salmonella from tainted food, we risk getting shot by another citizen or the police. We die of the flu, not to mention volcanoes, earthquakes, tornadoes, and such.
We can't shun technology that works in our favor because of the risk; otherwise, society would be stalled like a GOP's dream.
Personally, I'll miss seeing the “plume” every day. I'm sad to see it go. The effects locally will be severe and quite noticeable, I fear, with more than 600 folks out of work and unable, perhaps, to contribute to the local economy. What to do? -Dianne Howard, Vernon
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It is true that there are many accidents and much tragedy in this world every moment. The biggest difference in my mind is the scale of a potential disaster. For instance, if a boatload full of LP gas were to explode in a harbor, it would be devastating: buildings, lives, waterfront would all be lost.
But after the detritus of such an event is cleared, the area could then be rebuilt. Not so if the catastrophe involved nuclear energy. That entire area - and much more - would be lost to human use and habitation for an indeterminate number of decades. A century? Nobody really knows. -Anna Potter, Brattleboro
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We take risks every time we cross the street or be on the receiving end of a cough from a sick friend. That is our choice, to be there, to be near something risky.
When I moved to Vermont in 1976, I didn't know there was a nuclear power plant here, and I was scared for myself and my kids and all the residents far and wide.
“Far” and “wide” being the emphasis here: a nuclear leak or accident affects thousands, perhaps millions, of people, the Earth, and our future. It is a huge risk, an accident that cannot heal or repair.
It could mean the end of the world, and we know that. That's my humble opinion. -Nancy Clingan, Saxtons River
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It's time for the plant to be closed, as it's reached the end of safe use. Condolences to those who will suffer job-wise, but I hope you all planned for this, as we all knew it was coming.
I'm curious and concerned as to how the waste will be disposed, and excited for the new possibilities of renewable energy. My own solar panel is cranking out heat on this sunny day, with the oil furnace silent until dark.
Thanks to Vermont Yankee for all the charitable contributions to our community. -Dot Lenhart, Brattleboro
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The two things I remember from the birth of nuclear power: They said the electricity generated would be too cheap to meter, and that by the time the spent fuel had to be dealt with, there would be a solution. I think, too, that the spent fuel would be removed to someplace by rail. That never happened, either.
And now it will never go away. -David Chase, Keene, N.H.
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I would be interested in seeing a summary or analysis of all proposals to date for replacing the gap in our economy. I think I heard someone mention putting up a solar panel farm at the site, but surely there are many, many other possibilities - both for use of the site (if possible) and general replacement of jobs/industry.
We have an opportunity here, and while it might be a difficult challenge, it would be great to move forward with all possible effort and avoid an economic crash. -Allison Turner, Marlboro
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As a volunteer with two local nonprofits, I can say that Entergy's contributions to the community were outstanding, but I am glad that the plant is being turned off now that the “use-by” date has been reached. I had been quite worried about an accident such as Fukushima.
I also hope the folks who worked there had the foresight to put money away for when their respective jobs ended (just as roofers and other builders do). Maybe some will stay in the area; I wish them all well. -Pamela Simmons, Putney
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For Vernon residents and other employees of Vermont Yankee, I feel deep compassion. In the silos and tunnels of Facebook and beyond, each faction rejoices, gloats, grieves, schemes, rages with its own kind.
While I've worked actively to shut down the plant that we could not prevent from being built in the first place, I believe in reconciliation and common inspiration. Guilford and Vernon comprise one state legislative district.
VY has been a profoundly divisive issue. I hope there will be a way to work together to deal with the waste and loss and bitterness. -Verandah Porche, Guilford
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I feel compassion for the workers and their families. I also am grateful for their bringing this old ship to a smooth final port.
I find myself mostly feeling relieved and hopeful. Citizen activism persevered. We have inspired others across this nation and globally to struggle for social and environmental justice.
Questions that keep coming up for me: Is our community better off after 42 years of Vermont Yankee? Are our local economies better off? Have the corporate contributions from Entergy helped to end hunger, homelessness, and the many struggles our youth face? Or have those contributions just maintained the status quo?
I am relieved that this community is no longer producing radioactive waste. I am hopeful we can collectively create sustainable solutions that actually make our lives better. -Chad Simmons, Brattleboro
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It's unfortunate that some people keep defining the closing as a slam on opponents of Vermont Yankee. Entergy chose to shutter the plant because it wasn't profitable. The closing will have an unmistakably negative effect on the community, but an equally positive effect on shareholder value.
In its press release announcing the closure, Entergy said that “cash flow is expected to increase approximately $150 to $200 million in total through 2017, compared to Vermont Yankee's continued operation.”
Entergy made a reasonable and necessary business decision that was not driven by local politics in the least. The community will suffer, but Entergy and its shareholders will be fine. -Tom Buchanan, Londonderry