Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Station completed its final operating cycle on December 29th. In its 42 years, it reliably produced over 171 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, which amounted to 35% of the electricity consumed in the state. In addition, the plant contributed more than $60 million to the local economy each year through financial contributions, paid taxes and employee involvement.
This is the 4th U.S. plant to close down in the last 2 years. Nuclear Matters co-chair, former Senator Judd Gregg said, the signs of stress in our country’s reliable electricity grid cannot be ignored. It is simply unsustainable for the U.S. to continue down the path of allowing nuclear energy plants to close. Regulators, policymakers and industry must work together to ensure that nuclear energy is properly valued as a reliable, affordable and carbon-free electricity resource that is essential to America’s energy future and diverse fuel mix, and to ensure that existing nuclear plants are properly recognized in electricity markets for the value that they provide. Nuclear energy is safe, reliable, secure and 100% carbon-free. This 24-7, 365 always-on source of electricity is key to our country’s success.