By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-980371.mp3
Vernon, VT – Documents obtained by the Associated Press following a public-records request found the state of Vermont could bill Entergy $750,000 or more. Vermont Department of Public Service Deputy Commissioner Sarah Hofmann says they are carefully considering options, but have yet to invoice Entergy.
Vermont Health officials also released data showing that strontium-90 has been found in a fish sample taken from the Connecticut River 9 miles upstream from Vermont Yankee. The sample was unusual because the strontium 90 was in the fleshy, edible part of the smallmouth bass, rather than in its bones, where the radioactive material is more likely to be found. Fairewinds Associates Chief Engineer Arnold Gundersen has worked in the nuclear industry, taught physics and math, and is a nuclear consultant to the Vermont Legislature and the Department of Energy. Gundersen notes that the Department of Health has yet to test all the fish sampled from the river.
Entergy Vermont Yankee Spokesman Larry Smith is adamant that the strontium-90 contamination is not from the nuclear plant.
Connecticut River Watershed Council Upper Valley River Steward David Deen is also Chair of the Vermont House Fish Wildlife and Water Resources Committee. Deen says since there is uncertainty regarding the source of the strontium-90, control testing of fish elsewhere needs to be done.
Vermont's chief radiological health officer says the strontium-90 could have come from atmospheric deposits left over from atom bomb testing in the 1950's and 60's or from the Chernobyl accident.