All six of New England’s governors have made a joint agreement stating their support of exploring advanced nuclear generation. In a joint letter, they said, “For decades, our region has safely and reliably generated nuclear power, which currently meets a quarter of the region’s electricity needs.”Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has previously stated his support for nuclear energy and voted against the closure of what was Vermont’s only nuclear power facility: Vermont Yankee. “I think it’s part of the answer. It’s carbonless,” Scott said Wednesday. “We have aging facilities; we rely heavily on Canada and so forth to supply us with energy.”Vermont Yankee is in its last year of decommissioning and once provided a third of the State’s energy. The idea of another or a new regional power sharing plan is a question that’s to be determined. Vermont has lower electric rates compared to neighboring states, but it does have one of the highest energy burdens. “We have a really small amount of power, and so oftentimes we have a small amount of say,” said Rep. Laura Sibila, I-Dover. “That is why it’s great when you can see alignment amongst the states in terms of potential future policy making.”Getting a community on board with a potential project could prove difficult. Some think Vermont should stay on its renewable energy track without nuclear.”Staying the course really is what we’re looking for here, and we expect to pay dividends,” Ben Walsh with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group said.While the region’s plants safely store nuclear waste, the question of where its final resting place should be is yet to be answered by Congress. “Some people may be very concerned that we don’t have a resolution to the spent fuel,” said Chris Campany, with the Windham Regional Commission. It’s unclear what new partnerships could look like with other New England states, but they could be future discussions amongst officials.
All six of New England’s governors have made a joint agreement stating their support of exploring advanced nuclear generation.
In a joint letter, they said, “For decades, our region has safely and reliably generated nuclear power, which currently meets a quarter of the region’s electricity needs.”
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has previously stated his support for nuclear energy and voted against the closure of what was Vermont’s only nuclear power facility: Vermont Yankee.
“I think it’s part of the answer. It’s carbonless,” Scott said Wednesday. “We have aging facilities; we rely heavily on Canada and so forth to supply us with energy.”
Vermont Yankee is in its last year of decommissioning and once provided a third of the State’s energy. The idea of another or a new regional power sharing plan is a question that’s to be determined.
Vermont has lower electric rates compared to neighboring states, but it does have one of the highest energy burdens.
“We have a really small amount of power, and so oftentimes we have a small amount of say,” said Rep. Laura Sibila, I-Dover. “That is why it’s great when you can see alignment amongst the states in terms of potential future policy making.”
Getting a community on board with a potential project could prove difficult. Some think Vermont should stay on its renewable energy track without nuclear.
“Staying the course really is what we’re looking for here, and we expect to pay dividends,” Ben Walsh with the Vermont Public Interest Research Group said.
While the region’s plants safely store nuclear waste, the question of where its final resting place should be is yet to be answered by Congress.
“Some people may be very concerned that we don’t have a resolution to the spent fuel,” said Chris Campany, with the Windham Regional Commission.
It’s unclear what new partnerships could look like with other New England states, but they could be future discussions amongst officials.