Panel reviews relicensing of nuclear plant
NEWFANE, Vt. - A federal panel convened yesterday to weigh an antinuclear group's challenge to the relicensing of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, promising an independent review of three technical issues the group contends are serious enough to warrant rejection of the 20-year extension.
In a trial-style proceeding, a three-member Atomic Safety and Licensing Board panel will take testimony and question specialists from plant owner Entergy Nuclear and the New England Coalition, a citizens' group.
The judges will then report to the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which will decide whether the plant can operate beyond the expiration of its license in 2012.
The 36-year-old nuclear power plant has recently had problems with its towers, including a collapse, but issues related to that will not be considered at the evidentiary hearing. The meeting was called in response to the New England Coalition challenge filed in May 2006.
The hearing will focus on the coalition's allegations that:
The hearing, which is expected to last until Thursday, drew a small but vocal group of antinuclear protesters outside who stood in the rain outside the Windham County Superior Courthouse holding signs - and umbrellas.
"Profits for Entergy, Waste for Vermonters," read one of them.
