The New England Coalition, which opposes continued operation of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant, is asking Vermont’s highest court to issue an injunction forcing the plant to shut down.
The nuclear power plant is required by state law to have a Certificate of Public Good - or CPG - to operate the utility in Vermont. Vermont Yankee’s certificate expired last March and a new one has not been issued. The Vermont Public Service Board last week cited the 2002 purchase agreement between the state and Entergy that the plant would be shut down if a new CPG was not issued by this past March.
The New England Coalition on Tuesday filed a complaint with the Vermont Supreme Court asking for an injunction to force Vermont Yankee to cease power generation until there is a decision on the CPG. Coalition Technical Advisor Ray Shadis points to that recent Public Service Board order.
Ethan Allen Institute Energy Education Project Director Meredith Angwin supports continued operation of Vermont Yankee. She says the Coalition brings contentions and suits against the nuclear facility on a regular basis and she is critical of this latest filing.
Vermont Law School Professor of Law Pat Parenteau says the New England Coalition is correct that the nuclear plant is operating in violation of Public Service Board requirements for a Certificate of Public Good. But Parenteau adds that there are serious questions about the validity of their case.
Vermont Yankee spokesman Rob Williams says they company is evaluating the Coalition’s filing.
