SUBJECT: Governor Douglas Vetoes H.436 – Decommissioning Bill

Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Jim Douglas today issued a veto of H.436, An Act Relating to Decommissioning Funds of Nuclear Energy Generation Plants.

“Many Vermonters are struggling as a result of the current recession and all are facing pressure from rising costs,” said Governor Douglas. “While I do believe there are opportunities for operational improvements at Vermont Yankee, this legislation does nothing to increase protections for Vermonters, ratepayers or our state’s economy. Rather, H.436 threatens our economic recovery by unnecessarily increasing electric rates for consumers and businesses. Further, this legislation substitutes an objective process with political calculations, it breaks a promise made by the state of Vermont to a private entity and it exposes taxpayers to certain litigation.”

The full text of the Governor’s statement is attached. (pdf 2.3m)

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