I am enjoying spending more time at home in Underhill, and visiting many studios on the Open Studio Tour Memorial Day weekend. Eva Sollberger of Seven Days produced a great video on the Open Studio Tour featuring Jericho artists Dianne Shullenberger, Sandy Jefferis, Emilie Alexander, Bill Butler, Bruce Gilbert-Smith, Tom Way and Jack Case. You can watch it at www.7d.blogs.com/stuckinvt/ (this link is on my web site RepBillFrank.com).
    Thanks to all of you who have commented to me "it must be nice to be done". Yes, it is but especially because I feel it was a productive session. Rep. Symington and I have prepared a 2008 End of Session Report that is posted on my web site. This is a summary of the major pieces of legislation that were passed this legislative year. Please contact me if you would like a copy mailed to you.
     I have been asked about the Governor vetoing the bill that would require more funds to be put into the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant decommissioning fund. Some day the plant will have to close and there will be a very lengthy and expensive job of decommissioning. I think it's very important that whoever owns the plant at that time not walk away without proper closure, both in cleaning up the area and not leaving the Vermont taxpayers with a big bill. The current estimate to properly close and decommission the plant is $800 million if the decommissioning were to start in 2008 and $950 million if it were to start in 2012. The fund value is now about $400 million. Entergy Nuclear purchased Vermont Yankee from prior owners for $180 million on July 31, 2002. The decommission fund then had about $310 million in; Entergy Nuclear has not added anything to the fund since then. Entergy Nuclear has said they do not feel they are responsible for the decommissioning cost. This in itself was a very good reason to support S.373, the Decommissioning Bill.
     Does supporting the decommissioning fund bill mean I do not support re-licensing Vermont Yankee, or support nuclear power? These are three different issues and each requires its own research and decision. I have supported nuclear power as a source of electrical energy for many years, while at the same time being very concerned with the hundreds of near misses to nuclear meltdowns and the problem with the growing amount of nuclear waste. Nuclear power has been supplying over one third of Vermont's electrical energy needs for many years. This raises concerns of how to replace that power and how to store the nuclear waste. There is enough electrical power for purchase to make up for Yankee, the question is at what cost? What to do with the waste is a major question. Currently the waste at Yankee is stored at the flood level of the Connecticut River. New and safer nuclear plants can be built but again at what cost. This really underlines the need for a comprehensive state energy plan.
     The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) limits commercial nuclear power plant licenses to an initial 40 years but also permits such licenses to be renewed. This original 40-year term for reactor licenses was based on economic and antitrust considerations - not on limitations of nuclear technology. The NRC has established a license renewal process for an additional 20 years with very clear requirements that are needed to assure safe plant operation for extended plant life. I am in favor of not only the NRC assuring safe plant operation but also an independent inspection and evaluation of Vermont Yankee commissioned by the State of Vermont. Among many other questions this will help answer whether Vermont Yankee's continued operation poses a threat to Vermonters.
     Act 160 passed in May, 2006 requires that before Vermont Yankee can be re-licensed the general assembly must determine if it is in the best interest of the general welfare of Vermonters. This vote is expected to take place in 2009. This will be an important decision for the legislature to make for Vermont's future. Much study and discussion will be needed in deciding on this import vote.
     While the legislature is not in session I have been appointed to three legislative committees. The Health Access Oversight Committee meets monthly to take legislative action on the State Health programs including Catamount Health. The Vermont Prescription Monitoring System Advisory Committee is charged with getting this important new program up and running, hopefully by September. I will also be convening a group to discuss and make recommendations on legislative and non-legislative solutions for improving palliative care, end-of-life care, management of chronic pain, and access to these services for children. I expect at least 16 groups and 6 legislators to work through the summer and fall and to present a report to the legislature by January.
     It is important for me to hear from you, you can contact me at Rep.BillFrank@verizon.net, 899-3136 or 19 Pokerhill Rd, Underhill 05489.