1/29/10 – News Clips
Dubie: Jobs are top focus
Vermont senators split on Bernanke vote
Bill seeks to protect Vermont troops in custody fights
Editorial: Banning texting while driving makes sense
Momentum builds for texting ban
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January 2010
1/28/10 – News Clips
Douglas fed up with Vermont Yankee
Douglas wants lawmakers to put off vote on Yankee
Douglas asks lawmakers to delay VY vote
Britton: Leahy can be ousted from Senate
Could a Scott Brown-style upset happen here?
Vermont texting ban draws support
Lawmaker wants Vermont schools to delay opening
Editorial: Stowe teachers set example for rest of Vt.
Ed commissioner encourages consolidation talks
Yes to Vermont Yankee; no to Enexus
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Lt. Governor Dubie’s Statement on Vermont Yankee
(Montpelier, VT, January 27, 2010) – In response to Gov. James Douglas’ call today for a moratorium and change in management at Vermont Yankee, Lt. Governor Brian Dubie released the following statement:
“Our first concern today about Vermont Yankee should be for safety – the safety of Vermont Yankee’s employees and area residents.
I am deeply concerned about the 650 people who work for Vermont Yankee; I am concerned about their jobs and their families; I am concerned about all the small businesses in the area that depend on VY and its employees. My cousin is an IBEW member who works at VY. I am concerned about his uncertain future.
And I am extremely disappointed that VY management has compromised those jobs through repeated breaches of faith with the State of Vermont and its people.
We need a time out before we address any questions about how and if to move forward with Vermont Yankee.”
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Governor Douglas’ Statement on Vermont Yankee
The recent revelations at Vermont Yankee have raised many questions from my Administration, the federal government, the Legislature, the press and, most importantly, Vermonters.
The safe and reliable operation of the Vermont Yankee plant is an important part of our energy and economic future and it is critical to those Vermonters whose jobs depend on its operation.
My Administration has made clear that we cannot support its relicensing without a favorable power agreement, a sound plan for decommissioning and assurances about safety and reliability – which are, of course, our primary concerns.
I continue to believe that these determinations must be left to the regulators at the state and federal levels. Decisions that impact so many Vermonters must be based on the best scientific information and evaluated objectively outside of the political fray.
In all regulatory matters there must be transparency and honesty from the regulated entity. When any of these elements are called into question, the regulatory process itself is compromised. What has happened at Vermont Yankee is a breach of trust that cannot be tolerated. In order to move forward on whether or not the plant will continue to operate, questions need to be answered, changes need to be made and the trust of Vermonters must be restored.
Entergy now finds itself under investigation at every level.
v The NRC and our Departments of Health and Public Service are working with others to determine the source of the tritium leak and assess any safety and health implications.
v The Agency of Natural Resources is reviewing ongoing ground and surface water tests for environmental contamination.
v The Public Service Department is reinstituting its independent vertical audit to fully assess the underground pipe system, in cooperation with the Public Oversight Panel.
v The Public Service Department is demanding an independent verification of the sufficiency of the decommissioning fund given the prospects of contaminated soil on the Vernon site.
v Today, the Public Service Board required Entergy to submit prompt and complete corrections to any inaccurate information it has provided and a description of what steps it will take to rectify the situation.
v And the Attorney General has launched an investigation to ascertain whether there is any criminal behavior by Entergy officials.
I have spoken with Entergy CEO Wayne Leonard, and he assured me that he is taking recent revelations and discoveries seriously and he has instituted a full and thorough investigation into this matter by an outside law firm.
That’s not good enough. We need action.
If Entergy is serious about rebuilding Vermonters trust and restoring its credibility, it must acknowledge its mistakes and make immediate corrections.
Now is not the time for Entergy to circle its wagons. If it is serious about securing a future in Vermont , Entergy must be fully transparent and provide the State unfettered access to all its investigations – internal and otherwise. It must be willing to make personnel and records available to investigators and to waive any attorney-client or other privileges that may attach to these investigations. Letting the sun shine in will be an important and powerful statement about the company’s commitment to make things right.
And like many Vermonters, I have lost trust in the current management team and I have been disappointed that changes have not already been made. So today I am calling on Entergy to make immediate, necessary changes in management as well.
Until questions regarding the current circumstances are answered, decisions about the long-term future of the plant should not be made. I am directing Commissioner O’Brien to request a stay from any further action by the Board on the Enexus spin-off until the investigations have run their course and Vermonters can be confident in the transparency and honesty of the company’s management.
Further, with so many ongoing investigations, unanswered questions, and my own unease with previous information we have received from Entergy management, I can no longer ask legislators to vote this year on whether the Public Service Board should be allowed to decide the case for relicensing. Therefore, I am calling for a time-out.
Until Entergy reestablishes its credibility, we should not move forward on a decision of such importance to the safety of our people, the livelihoods of so many and the economic and energy future of Vermont . When we can again say with resolute clarity that we can depend on the management of the plant and ensure public health and safety, only then can we move forward with the consideration of the plant’s long-term future.
The ultimate question of Vermont Yankee’s future is not being decided today, but the events of the last two weeks have raised dark clouds of doubt that must clear before we proceed.
We have high expectations from the management of a nuclear power plant – and rightly so. Vermonters are understanding, but never suffer fools. We expect better, we deserve better, and, now, we demand better. The trust that’s been broken can be repaired, but it must begin with swift and determined action – and it must begin today.
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VT GOP Press Release
Democratic Candidates for Governor: More of the Same
Democrats get together to defend Act 60 and the status quo
Statement from Vermont Republican Party Chairman Steve Larrabee on last night’s Gubernatorial Debate:
“Democratic candidates for Governor got together last night to discuss education and all we heard from them was the same tired defense of the status quo. As our economy continues to suffer and our people continue to struggle, we need leaders in Montpelier to focus on our future not defend their past failures.
“Democratic candidates had an opportunity to advance ideas for how we replace Act 60, a school funding formula that we all know is broken beyond repair. Instead, all we heard the candidates do was defend it. The time for the Democrats to admit that Act 60 needs to be replaced is long overdue.
“We simply cannot waste time ignoring what Act 60 has done to our property taxes. With education spending at an all time high and the people of Vermont struggling more everyday to get by, the Democratic supermajority and slate of gubernatorial candidates ought to know that it needs to be addressed. They demonstrated a glaring lack of understanding of what the people of our state need right now.
“Educating the next generation of Vermonters is one of the most important functions of Government. As the father of two kids who attended public schools in Vermont, I know firsthand how a quality education can open doors and create opportunity. And in order for us to continue to provide great schools, we must follow Governor Douglas’ lead and get to work on creating a sustainable funding system.
“If Vermonters want the status quo, a Governor who will defend Act 60 and allow your property taxes to continue to increase year after year unchecked, then any one of the candidates at last night’s forum will do.
“But if Vermonters want to elect a leader with the courage to tackle our difficult challenges in these tough times, Brian Dubie will be that leader”
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1/26/10 – News Clips
Democratic hopefuls for governor debate education
Burlington’s Kurt Wright seeks city council seat
Consolidating schools will lower costs, improve results in Vermont
Lawmakers on ‘idle’ over exhaust regulation
Gov. serves budget for breakfast
Analysis: Bad news just piling up for Democrats
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1/25/10 – News Clips
Twelve in ’12: GOP Candidates Line Up to Challenge Obama in 2012
Lawmakers will ‘idle’ this week
For Vermont lawmakers, some tips for easy money
Raising taxes in Vt.: Enter at own risk
Democratic governor hopefuls talk today at UVM
Vt. lawmakers revisit drinking age debate
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2010 State of the State Address
Click here to read the Governor’s 2010 State of the State Address
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Brian Dubie for Governor
October 1 ,2009
Brian Dubie for Governor
The Vermont Republican Party is proud to support the candidacy of Brian Dubie for Governor.
“Vermont couldn’t ask for a finer individual to step forward,” said Rob Roper, Chairman of the Vermont Republican State Committee. “Brian Dubie is a pilot, a soldier, a farmer, a husband and father. It is his deep and sincere commitment to these roles in his life that has made him such an empathetic and effective public servant. He’s the real deal, and the people of Vermont know it.”
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