State appeals Entergy decision (Brattleboro Reformer)

February 18, 2012

BRATTLEBORO — Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell on Saturday morning filed an appeal of the federal district court’s recent decision in favor of Entergy Nuclear Vermont Yankee.

Federal Court Judge J. Garvan Murtha rendered his opinion on Jan. 19, ruling the state Senate crossed over into federal territory when it voted to prohibit the Vermont Public Service Board from issuing a certificate for public good for continued operation.

“We have strong arguments to make on appeal,” Sorrell said. “The district court’s decision improperly limits the State’s legitimate role in deciding whether Vermont Yankee should operate in Vermont beyond March 21, 2012. The court’s undue reliance on the discussions among our citizen legislators, expert witnesses, advocates, and their constituents has the potential to chill legislative debates in the future. Left unchallenged, this decision could make it harder for ordinary Vermonters to clearly state their views in future legislative hearings.”

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