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The Vermont Yankee Vote

"This vote is not an act of courage. Education Reform was an act of courage. Civil Unions was an act of courage. Equal Marriage was an act of courage. This is a no-brainer."


Susan leaves the Senate chamber after the vote on re-licensing Vermont Yankee.
Burlington Free Press photo

People seem to be confused about my Senate vote on Vermont Yankee. Some say that I changed my mind. I have not changed my mind.

I felt the vote was held too soon, but I felt it was important the Senate speak clearly even if too quickly.

I have consistently said that I have not found one good reason to support re-licensing the plant. The concerns about safety and reliability multiply every day. Based on the knowledge I have now I cannot support re-licensing.

I said a month ago that the Agency of Natural Resources should consider closing the plant immediately because of ground water pollution. I found out that they have no jurisdiction. In fact, no state agency has jurisdiction over Vermont Yankee.

The only thing the vote in the Senate did was put us on record. I favored an approach that would include the voice of the House and result in a bill that the governor would sign or veto. My position is clear; this vote was premature and represents only the opinion of the Senate in an election year.

We had a process in place that I believe would have resulted in denying the re-licensing of Vermont Yankee. That process will continue.

We have not heard the last from Entergy. It was politically expedient to hold the vote last week. We stepped on Vermont Yankee, now we’ll wait for the other shoe to drop.

  • Read - Sen. Bartlett's stance on Yankee set her apart
  • Press Release 2/24/10 - Votes 'no' on Vermont Yankee
  • Watch - Vt. Senate votes to close Vt. Yankee
  • Watch - Vermont This Week discussses the upcoming vote
  • Read - Totten - Democracy in Action or Lawsuit Waiting to Happen?
  • Opinion - Times Argus on the Vermont Yankee Vote
  • Press Release 2/21/10- The Vote on Vermont Yankee

    • ANR Should Look at Yankee Groundwater

    Susan said on January 20 that the Agency of Natural Resources should explore its options to immediately shutdown the Vernon reactor under state groundwater pollution laws.
    "Suddenly when you have leaking contaminating groundwater you've got a completely different subject coming up."

  • Read - Douglas Still Supports Yankee



    • My campaign is about policy, community, and vision. I will focus on restoring Vermont for all Vermonters, a Vermont that reflects the values of hard work, caring for our families, neighbors, and communities.

    For the past 7 years Vermont has bounced from slogan to slogan, ribbon cutting to ribbon cutting, without a vision or a plan. This cannot continue.

    Over the next few years it will be important to help business create jobs in Vermont. We need to lower the cost of health care and insurance, improve education and support social services while exercising fiscal restraint. It is a tough job. I am running for Governor because my experience, relationships and deep understanding of the problems we face in Vermont are what we need to face the challenges ahead. If you do your part to help me win the coming elections, I'll do my part to lead Vermont to a bright future based on the values we share.

    New Leadership: Working Together for a Better Future. Susan Bartlett for Governor

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