Another potential path to failure
Toolbox
Published: February 5, 2010
Although Vermont Yankee provides us near-zero carbon emissions energy – an important fact in today's fight against global warming – I believe its continued operation unnecessary, unwise and unsafe.
First, lying about the existence of underground pipes carrying radioactive material points to the dishonesty of Vermont Yankee management and begs the question as to what other information they may be hiding.
Second, Vermont Yankee's design has been documented as marginal at best. It was one of General Electric's first designs, and soon discontinued.
Third, as with any complex system, there are many potential paths to failure. It's the unexpected failures, or combinations of failures, that could lead to catastrophic failure, causing significant threat to life and rendering about 300 square miles uninhabitable for a very long time.
Fourth, German studies show increased cancer and birth defects in young populations near nuclear plants. This suggests that radiation limits considered allowable for adults may be well above those safe for fetuses and children whose cell reproduction is much faster.
Fifth, the actual lifecycle cost of nuclear power is much greater than the industry and supporting institutions admit. Who pays for restoring the property after plant shutdown? Who pays for the absolutely safe storage of high-level nuclear waste for thousands of years? And in the event of a catastrophic accident, who pays for the death, destruction and land rendered unusable?
If Vermont Yankee is shut down at the end of its 40-year design life in 2012, leadership from a new governor, our Legislature, and the private sector could create much-needed stimulus to Vermont's job market and economy through energy-efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy development. In the interim, sufficient energy to replace that of Vermont Yankee is available for purchase from existing sources.
Nuclear power is heavily subsidized, not only by us, but most egregiously, by future generations. Hundreds of future generations will subsidize the safe storage of high-level nuclear waste for the power we have enjoyed. Vermont Yankee is neither clean, safe, nor is it fully funded by those using its power. For our future's sake, let's close it in 2012.
Charles McKenna
Wilder
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