Vermont Edition
Vermont Edition
For the Love of Jane Austen
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Two women have started a Vermont chapter of the National Jane Austen Society. We talk with them about their passion for the early nineteenth century writer. And we hear about state job cuts, and the political fallout over bonuses for some employees. Then, we stop by an adult kickball league.VPR News
State says purchase of fuel-efficient passenger rail cars will have to wait
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The state says it will have to wait until fall to purchase new, fuel efficient passenger rail cars. But the reason for the delay is unclear. The state says it wants guidance from a special committee chaired by the state treasurer. But the treasurer says the Legislature has already approved the deal. VPR’s John Dillon reports:VPR News
Douglas administration raises questions about Entergy’s corporate restructuring
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The Douglas Administration is raising questions about the financial stability of the new owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The administration says the new company will be financially weak because it will have to borrow billions of dollars. But the new questions are prompting critics to ask why the governor vetoed a recent Vermont Yankee bill. The bill would have required the new owners to guarantee it has enough money set aside to decommission the plant.VPR News
Amtrak’s Vermont trains are popular, even though they’re often late
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More people are riding Vermont’s two passenger trains than ever before.That’s the good news. The bad news is that the trains have a poor record for running on time.VPR News
Mental health group wants doctors, hospitals to reject gifts from drug industry
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A leading mental health advocacy group is calling on doctors and hospitals to reject gifts from the pharmaceutical industry. The Vermont Association for Mental Health says the payments to doctors create a conflict of interest that could compromise patient care. But medical professionals say they are already taking steps to limit the influence of drug companies. VPR’s John Dillon reports.VPR News
Electrical problem causes mishap as Vermont Yankee tries to move fuel
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Vermont Yankee’s first attempt to move radioactive spent fuel ended in a mishap last week. An electrical relay on a crane failed and the fuel container slipped about four inches to the floor. State and federal regulators said no radiation was released, and that the public was not in danger.VPR News
Critics question whether money for rail in western Vermont is being well spent
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Three years after the state got $30 million dollars for rail improvement in western Vermont, there’s little to show for it. Have important rail projects come off the track? VPR’s John Dillon has a special report.VPR News
Douglas vetoes Vermont Yankee decommissioning bill
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Governor Jim Douglas has vetoed a bill that would have required Vermont Yankee to guarantee there’s enough money to dismantle the nuclear plant when it shuts down. Douglas said the legislation would have forced Yankee to charge more for electricity. But Democrats pounced on the veto, and accused the governor of protecting Yankee’s out-of-state owners.VPR News