A poll released late last week finds Vermonters evenly divided on whether the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant should remain open.
The poll conducted by theCastleton Polling Institute queried Vermonters on energy issues. Among the questions: “Should the state of Vermont continue to try and close Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant?” 44-point-8 percent said yes, 44-point-2 percent said no, 10-point-7 percent were not sure and 3 percent refused to answer. Both proponents and opponents of the plant’s continued operation say the poll is in line with previous surveys. New England Coalition Technical Advisor Ray Shadis says most Vermonters have a fixed opinion, even with millions being spent to try to change their position.
Ethan Allen Institute Energy Education Project Director Meredith Angwin expected the results, because every poll she’s seen has been close to an even split.
Vermont Citizens’ Action Network Lobbyist Bob Stannard believes if the question had been more detailed, the results would have been different.
The poll of 607 likely voting Vermonters was conducted by the Castleton Polling Institute at Castleton College for WCAX Television, WDEV Radio, and Vermont Business Magazine. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
