Vermont’s Only Nuclear Power Facility Shuts Down
Published at | Updated at
Photo by Michael Springer/Getty Images(MONTPELIER, Vt.) — The Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station was officially disconnected from the grid on Monday, with the reactor shut down shortly thereafter.
Gov. Peter Shumlin said Monday that the closure of the plant “marks the end of years of controversy.” Vermont Yankee was the only nuclear plant in Vermont.
“I have long advocated for the closing of this plant at the end of its original license,” Shumlin said, “and I believe the ceasing of operations today after nearly 43 years represents a positive step for our state and our energy future.”
The plant employed 630 people and was licensed through 2032 by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. However, an agreement between Entergy, the company that operated the plant, and the state decided that the plant would close by the end of 2014, and Entergy would provide $10 million in economic development for Vermont’s Windham County over a five-year span and $5.2 million in clean energy development. The company will also set aside $25 million to ensure the restoration of the site of the current plant.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio