No to Shumlin

Politics by Emerson Lynn

Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Shumlin Tuesday gave Vermonters the evidence they need to rule him unqualified to be governor of the state of Vermont. His self-centered political agenda grinds in directions contrary to the debate necessary to improve the state’s energy portfolio and the state’s economy.

Mr. Shumlin plans to push through a vote on the future of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant next week, and he is doing so for pure political advantage. The longer the wait, the better the chance that Vermont Yankee identifies and stops the leak of tritium. That would subtract from the momentum those who oppose the plant feel they now have.

A week or so ago, Mr. Shumlin said more information was needed before the Senate could feel justified in asking for a vote. Has more information been gathered? No. Mr. Shumlin’s move is political theater, nothing more. Even his colleagues recognize it as a political stunt, the sort of grandstanding more common to Congress.

And the irony is striking, on the same day Mr. Shumlin plays his game, President Obama announces a $8.3 billion loan guarantee to help build two nuclear reactors in Georgia. The president gave three reasons for the guarantee: to help cut greenhouse emissions, to create energy jobs and to develop a low carbon economy.

If Vermont were to follow Mr. Shumlin’s lead, we would probably increase the amount of emissions created, we would cut the number of energy jobs, and we would decidedly raise the cost of doing business in Vermont.

Mr. Shumlin could not be more out of touch with the state’s needs.

He also plays fast and loose with the truth. Consider his recent comment that Vermont Yankee’s 640 employees should have been prepared for the plant’s demise since it was not designed to last beyond 2012. That’s complete nonsense. The plant was purchased by Entergy in 2002 and the company has invested roughly $300 million in the plant since. As with most high-stakes manufacturing concerns, investment is continual. Mr. Shumlin continues to portray the plant as antiquated and other legislative counterparts characterize nuclear power as akin to the “buggy whip.”

That’s interesting since the president of their party is going 180 degrees in the opposite direction, as is China, France, etc.

There is also the issue of jobs, and cost. Mr. Shumlin says Vermont can replace the 640 Vermont Yankee jobs with jobs developing alternative energy. Again, he is not telling the truth. Not close. Think about it. The average compensation, including benefits, at Vermont Yankee is in excess of $100,000. The average wage in renewables is about half.

And the number of jobs in renewables pales in comparison to those in nuclear. Duke Energy, for example, produces about 35,000 megawatts of energy, and has nuclear, coal, gas, hydro, wind and solar. It knows all facets of the business. The company, for example, reports that there is about a 6-1 ratio between the jobs required to operate a nuclear plant versus the jobs required to operate a wind plant – assuming the same energy output.

The types of jobs in nuclear versus renewables are also radically different in terms of educational requirements. Wiping off a solar panel doesn’t require the same sort of skills necessary to run a nuclear power plant.

But renewables in Vermont do outpace nuclear power in one key respect: price. The price Vermont utilities are forced to pay as “feed-in-tariff” fees established by the Vermont Legislature is 21 cents per kilowatt hour for wind [for plants generating less than 100- kilowatts] and 24 cents per kilowatt hour for solar. Currently, we’re paying 4.2 cents a kilowatt hour for what we get from Vermont Yankee.

The Legislature, with the imprimatur of Mr. Shumlin, also mandates that the state’s utilities will need to address their additional power needs through renewables beginning in 2012. If Vermont Yankee is not part of the mix, and if our baseload needs increase, then Vermonters can expect to see a hefty increase in their utility bills. That will also affect businesses – that group that employs Vermonters.

Thus, in no uncertain terms, Mr. Shumlin’s political aspirations would end up costing Vermonters more money and more jobs, if his lead were followed.

House Speaker Shap Smith has already said he sees no reason for the issue to be brought up for a vote in the House if the Senate affirms Mr. Shumlin’s need for the spotlight. Thankfully. At least Mr. Smith is more open-minded and less political than his counterpart in the Senate.

But for Vermonters interested in who will lead them beginning next January, Mr. Shumlin offers us no leadership, more politics, fewer jobs, and a higher priced, less environmentally friendly energy portfolio.

(Emerson Lynn is editor & publisher of the St. Albans Messenger where this essay first appeared.)

Comments

[Mark Shepard]

Unfortunately Yankee was not forthright about some of the construction at the plant. That clearly should cause concern.

However, it is clear that most of the rancor over Yankee has been more about politics than about safety. Likewise and somewhat connected the push for state control of healthcare in Vermont is politically motivated. In a WCAX interview, Anthony Pollina said there were two things that might draw him into the Democrat Primary for governor. They were not enough progress on universal healthcare in Vermont and not enough progress in shutting down Yankee. So there should be no surprise that the Democrats in the controlling party in the Senate and also running for governor want to keep Pollina out of their primary. With already five in that primary and Pollina's strong following and besting the Democrat last election, he very likely could win that primary.

So these folks are doing their best to take Vermonters down a road that will be very costly and more unsustainable than Catamount Healthcare and all for their personal and party political objectives. They have no shame at all.

It does not take a lot to put the pieces together.

[Brattleboro Landlord]

Good comments, except you misinterpret one issue. Mr Smith is not being open minded. If Mr Shumlin's chamber does not vote to allow VY to renew, there is no need for Mr Smith's chamber to do anything. The issue is dead.

[robert qua]

Very well put Emerson.Your logic is inescapable, if you can put politics aside. Obviously, not something Mr. Shumlin is disposed toward doing.

[Mark Shepard]

My post above was referencing this statement:

Pollina says he won't make a decision until after this Legislative session to see if candidates deliver on Progressive priorities like universal health care and closing the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. If there is action he may support a Democratic candidate, if not-- it makes it more likely he'll run.

For the full interview see: http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=11446250

[Larry Johnson]

This commentary needs to appear on every editorial and/or opinion page that is available in Vermont.
Come on Tigers. Lets do our part.

[Gary Richardson]

Nobody could have given a more logical statement in support of Vermont Yankee than Mr. Lynn has. Shumlin is a destructive force for Vermont's future. Thank you Mr. Lynn.

[akaBUD]

Albeit, political grandstanding aside...

Voting now is a "good idea" because the inertia will be a "sobering" "wake up call" to Entergy and the EPA and really the whole industry on maintaining their operations in a timely manner.

We are privelaged in Vermont to have this much say on nuclear projects in our jurisdiction.
This is exactly the type of dialogue you wan't the nuclear industry to pay attention too.

In my experience the Nuclear industry would be smart to embrace the topic so this current President can endorse funding to help maintain and clean up hugely expensive operating costs.

By doing so they would benefit themselves by showing that they "care" and are on top of things "no matter what the cost".

It is inherent to promote the revitilization of the power plant constructors.

Not only should this Country support nuclear energy plants they should support funding the real exorbanantntly expensive maintenance issues panicking the scrutiny of the public.

It is my view that only by talking about this is the inertia of support going to grow, and the panic of underfunded maintennace fears going to chill out.

What do you think?

[GreggB]

Close it, close it. Closing a nuke plant would be the achievement of a lifetime for VT's hippy class. Such a grand opportunity for fulfilling destiny. I really hope they close the sucker I want to see this train wreck. It will be spectacular. Rainbows and parades, happy hippy celebrations of everything they worked 40 years for err protested for. And candlelight vigils, lots of em, every night actually, not by choice.

[Lazarus Long]

On the issue of the "unknown" underground pipes. Was the original builder of the plant required to file a set of construction plans with the overseeing state (or federal) agency? If so, why didn't "someone" just go down to the dusty records vault and look up the answer to the question?
Am I being to simple here?

[Vermont Woodchuck]

akaBud, great idea, while we're at it, lets extend this to voting on what items go into the operating rooms and how many doctors get hired on staff.

Imagine the money saved if we hire those that just read the "how to" book instead of wasting all that time in school. We can pay them $12.95/hr.
I like the idea of letting my lawyer choose YOUR kids' doctor. He's knows and cares soooo much about you.

[T Thomas]

It would be devastating for Vermont, and Western Massachusetts too. But with this having been said, I would love to have a court case saying that the NRC, not states, regulates nuclear power. It's very possible that this will happen...

Some top cover from the Obama Administration would be very nice, too - for instance, in sending a clear message to the rogue Vermont government that they need to stand down on the VY re-licensing matter would dovetail well with the loan guarantee issues. After all, it isn't like Vermont's going to go red in reprisal in the next national election.