(Host) In Montpelier, the Public Service Board has ordered that an entirely new case be opened into Vermont Yankee’s request for a new state operating license.
Today’s decision is a response to the federal court decision that threw out the Legislature’s ability to block the relicensing of the nuclear power plant.
The court left it up to the Public Service Board whether the state would issue an operating permit. That was a case where the board had already taken evidence and testimony.
It had to decide whether the existing evidence was sufficient or whether it should start all over.
The board says some of the evidence dates back to 2008 and has been proven since then to be inaccurate. So it says a new case is necessary.
Michael Burns is a spokesman for Yankee’s owner, Entergy. He says Entergy welcomes the decision.
(Burns) "The board’s order gives us additional clarity regarding the next steps in Vermont Yankee’s quest to obtain a certificate of public good from the state of Vermont."
(Host) The board says Entergy must file a new application to operate Vermont Yankee by April 16. A preliminary hearing on that request will take place in early May.