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Governor Criticized for Fish Comments

By Pat Bradley

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-980795.mp3

Montpelier, VT – Vermont's radiological health chief says the level of Strontium-90 found in the edible part of the fish are consistent with background levels caused by nuclear bomb testing decades ago and the 1986 Chernobyl accident. But an Associated Press review of NRC records found that Vermont Yankee reported releasing strontium-90 into the environment several times since Entergy bought the reactor in 2002. So there's no way to ascertain exactly where the Strontium-90 in the fish came from. Vermont Governor Peter Schumlin reiterated to WAMC what he said in his weekly press conference: he won't fish in the Connecticut River near the Vermont Yankee Plant.

Some Vermont Republicans are criticizing Governor Shumlin for his comments. Republican Party Chair Pat McDonald says the Health Commissioner disagreed with the governor and said the levels of Strontium-90 found in the fish were not a cause for concern.

New England Coalition Advisor Ray Shadis says based on work he did on the Maine Yankee decommissioning, he says there is no indication, other than Vermont Yankee manufactures the isotope, that the Strontium-90 came from the nuclear plant.

Governor Peter Schumlin says he has asked the Health Department to do further testing.