The Brattleboro Reformer
December 10, 2004
Carolyn Lorié

BRATTLEBORO -- Residents of Leverett, Mass. have spoken up about their opposition to Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee's plan to increase power.

In a letter dated Nov. 18, the Leverett Selectboard wrote that residents "voted overwhelmingly to contact [Entergy], the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Vermont Public Service Board and others objecting to Entergy's placing of profit before the safety of our communities."

Leverett is about 20 miles southeast of Vernon.

The letter includes several demands, among them are an informational meeting with the NRC, a statement of intent from Entergy regarding the uprate and plans for Leverett residents in the event of an accident at the nuclear reactor.

This is not the first time that residents of Massachusetts have expressed concern about the uprate. Several of the state's northern towns lie in the emergency planning zone.

Massachusetts state Rep. Stephen Kulik, D-Worthington, and U.S. Rep. John Olver, D-Mass., wrote letters earlier in the year requesting an assessment of the plant. Public officials from New Hampshire have also voiced their concerns.

The safety of the surrounding communities is Vermont Yankee’s paramount concern. The power uprate will produce clean and reliable energy while still meeting all safety guidelines. A comprehensive emergency management plan that is coordinated by local, state, and federal government officials is already in place for the communities surrounding Vermont Yankee.

Across the nation Entergy exhibits its commitment to safety at all of their nuclear facilities. Entergy is the second largest owner and operator of nuclear power plants in the United States. They own 10 nuclear power plants that are distributed across four locations in the north and four locations in the south and in 2004 they were selected by the Nebraska Public Power District to operate Cooper Nuclear Power Station in Brownsville Nebraska.