An environmental group is asking the Vermont Public Service Board (PSB) to reconsider its denial of new evidence in reviewing Entergy’s plans to build an independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at the closed Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant.
Entergy plans to transfer nearly 3,000 spent fuel assemblies into 45 dry casks by the end of 2020, a $145 million project that hinges on the PSB issuing the company a certificate of public good. The New England Coalition on Nuclear Pollution has objected to designs included in Entergy’s plans, arguing that the underground Holtec storage system proposed raises concerns about groundwater contamination, among other claims. The PSB is expected to issue a final order on the certificate of public good soon.
The New England Coalition has long served as a thorn in Entergy’s side. Clay Turnbull, a trustee for the coalition, was arrested at the plant in March for trespassing while taking photos he planned to use in his group’s case. The coalition in its Monday filing attacked PSB, citing “accusatory” and “disparaging” language the board used in its June 1 denial.
“The Board’s Order has served to malign NEC, to damage its otherwise fine reputation as a scrupulously truthful public advocate, and to put a chill on the public’s consideration of participation in public service board proceedings,” the coalition’s filing reads.
The coalition argued for the admittance of relevant photographs, satellite images, and affidavits regarding visibility of the proposed ISFSI. The group also described Entergy testimony from February as “false” and incomplete. In particular, the coalition claimed that senior project manager George Thomas’ testimony regarding the Holtec spent fuel storage system was “lacking in detail, couched in unprofessional language, and altogether not forthcoming or complete.”
Entergy spokesman Marty Cohn declined to respond to those claims in a telephone interview Friday, instead pointing to PSB’s denial of the evidence request as a measure of validity on the coalition’s comments. He said Entergy has followed all proper channels in applying for the certificate of public good, and added that he is optimistic the PSB will issue an order any day now.