Future Of Vt. Nuke Plant Unclear Pending Rate Deal

LISA RATHKE

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Entergy Nuclear officials said Tuesday they aren't sure they will meet a Nov. 1 deadline to reach an agreement with the state's utility companies, leaving the future of Vermont Yankee power plant uncertain.

Legislative leaders set the deadline in July for the power-purchase agreement that Entergy had promised last year, saying they need to know what ratepayers will be charged to make an informed decision about whether to extend the plant's license another 20 years when it expires in 2012.

It's unclear what the delay will mean for consumers but Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin said it could mean higher prices.

"It's in everybody's interest to get this resolved because right now power costs are relatively low. And it's in our constituents interests to make power decisions when prices are low not high," he said.

Entergy has been negotiating with Green Mountain Power Corp. and Central Vermont Public Service Corp. on a 20-year agreement but might not come up with a deal by November, said Jay Thayer, the plant's vice president of operations.