Entergy Sues Vermont, Seeking Longer Life for Nuclear Reactor

[cali]

By MATT DAY And MARK PETERS

Entergy Corp. sued Vermont on Monday in a bid to keep the state's only nuclear-power plant running past March 2012.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Burlington, Vt., sets up a legal battle between the state, which has soured on the 39-year-old reactor, and the nation's second-largest nuclear operator after Exelon Corp. Entergy claims Vermont doesn't have authority over the plant, called Vermont Yankee.

This escalation in a long-running dispute comes amid heightened concerns about safety in the wake of the disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan after last month's earthquake and tsunami. Vermont Yankee's boiling-water reactor is the same model as those at Fukushima Daiichi.

But opposition to Vermont Yankee was already growing even before Japan's crippled plant started spewing radiation. Last year, New Orleans-based Entergy reported several instances of leaks of radioactive material from underground pipes at Vermont Yankee. Those safety concerns were coupled with accusations by Vermont officials that Entergy misled the state about the existence of underground piping.

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http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704821704576271303304931220.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[MadHound]

1. Vermont Yankee is a nighmare already, a disaster waiting to happen

It needs to be shut down for good.

[RC]

3. Links, proof, sources on why it might be a nightmare?

Or a disaster waiting to happen? Other than it is a nuclear plant that is.

[cali]

4. Google Vermont Yankee problems

cooling tower that collapsed, leaks of tritium and other substances, execs lying to the legislature, etc.

It is a nightmare and we Vermonters want it closed.

[damntexdem]

2. Let's hope RW courts don't constitute the tsunami on this one.

Sounds like those who lied to the state should be prosecuted, not rewarded by the courts.

[cali]

5. Cristina Reiss is the Chief Judge of the District Court in Burlington

I don't know much about her. The former chief judge and still sitting is William Sessions who's a very good guy. Reiss was recommended by Leahy and appointed by Obama. Sessions was appointed by Clinton. He's made some liberal (and important) decisions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_K._Sessions_III

The problem I foresee isn't what happens in Federal District Court in Vermont, but should the ruling go against Entergy, what happens on appeal.