The power of Act 160
In May 2006, after intensive citizen advocacy efforts, the Vermont legislature passed a law of truly historic proportions, Act 160. Act 160 states that the Entergy Nuclear Corporation may not operate the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor after its license expires in 2012 without "the explicit approval of the General Assembly". Even if the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in Washington, DC decides to authorize a 20-year license extension for the aging, mismanaged reactor, the representatives of Vermont's citizens still have the authority to say "NO!" The legislature's vote will likely take place during the 2010 session.
What does Act 160 require of the state?
Act 160 requires the state's Department of Public Services (DPS) and the Senate-House Joint Energy Committee arrange for studies that will inform the public and the legislature regarding long-term accountability, financial responsibility, environmental, economic, waste and public health issues. The act also requires the DPS to utilize a “public engagement” process. The DPS held four public meetings and an online discussion in the spring of 2008, despite the fact that VCAN and other groups vehemently opposed the holding of these meetings prior to the release of any studies. Current results show a majority of Vermonters want Vermont Yankee to close and be replaced with other energy options by 2012.
What is being done and what can I do to help make Act 160 successful?
No other state legislature has ever claimed the right of its citizens, through their elected representatives, to make a decision that could override the powerful interests of a major nuclear corporation and the NRC. While Vermonters were successful in passing Act 160, we understand that it will take a far greater effort to win the decisive vote in 2010. One part of that effort is to monitor the DPS as it carries out the required studies and public engagement that are to inform the state legislature. Vermont citizen advocacy efforts have already helped block a DPS plan to subsume the public engagement activities within another process that took place in the fall of 2007. Additionally, citizens successfully challenged the department’s decision to offer a contract to a consulting firm to do a single study that did not cover the breadth of issues in the legislation. A coalition of citizen and advocacy groups will continue to provide input about what constitutes an adequate combination of economic, health and environmental studies and meaningful public engagement. The key to our success will be people power: citizens organizing throughout Vermont. This is especially crucial in those parts of the state furthest from the reactor. The residents of the evacuation zone in Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, who live in the shadow of the reactor, will need to reach out to our fellow citizens. We will succeed in closing the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor, and we will make history by providing a model for citizens of other states who are equally endangered by the nuclear reactors near them. The full text of Act 160 can be accessed online at: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/legdoc.cfm?URL=/docs/2006/acts/ACT160.htm
Pull The Plug Solar Panel Raffle
HELP PULL THE PLUG ON VERMONT YANKEE TODAY WHILE TAKING A CHANCE AT LOWERING YOUR ELECTRIC BILLS!
Tickets $30.00 each
The Raffle will run through Sunday, November 28 or until 500 chances are sold, whichever comes first. In order to enter the raffle each entrant shall purchase a ticket online at www.vtcitizen.org or in person at events throughout the duration of the raffle. Tickets purchased online will be mailed to the participant upon verification of payment.
Thanks for your support and good luck!
The sponsor of this raffle is the Vermont Citizens Action Network, PO Box 16, Hancock VT 05748, (802) 767-9131, which is a registered Vermont Non-Profit Corporation. Donations and purchases of raffle tickets are not tax deductible. Participation in this raffle shall be deemed to be your complete acceptance of the terms and conditions herein.
Entry in the raffle is available only to persons over the age of 18 who live in a jurisdiction where the purchase of raffle tickets is legal. You may be asked to provide the Sponsor with proof of age and/or identity to participate in this raffle. Board members of the sponsor or any entities affiliated with or related to the Sponsor shall not be eligible to enter the raffle. For the purposes herein, the term relative shall mean spouse, partner, parent, child or sibling.
The Raffle will run through Sunday, November 28 or until 500 chances are sold, whichever comes first. In order to enter the raffle each entrant shall purchase a ticket online at www.vtcitizen.org or in person at events throughout the duration of the raffle. Tickets purchased online will be mailed to the participant upon verification of payment.
Each entrant shall be entitled to make multiple entries into the raffle. Each ticket shall be priced at $30.00. A maximum of 500 chances will be sold. In the event that the Sponsor deems an entrant to have acted in bad faith, such entrant shall be excluded from the raffle and consequently deemed ineligible to win the Prize, as defined below.
The prize for winning the raffle shall be determined based on the total number of tickets sold as follows: (a) one-half of the proceeds of the raffle, up to a maximum amount of $4,000 if less than 280 raffle tickets are sold or; (b) a solar electric (PV) system consisting of panels and inverters with a wholesale value of $4,000 (retail value of approximately $4,600) provided by The Greenfield Solar Store, 2 Fiske Avenue, Greenfield MA 01301, (413) 772-3122 if 280 to 500 tickets are sold.
Only one prize will be awarded. Chances of winning may vary based on the total tickets sold but will be no more than 1:500. The Sponsor shall execute a random drawing, which shall take place before January 1, 2011. The exact date and location will be announced prior to November 28, 2010 via our website at vtcitizen.org. After the drawing, the winner will be contacted via telephone and email. If, for any reason, the winner fails to respond within thirty (30) days to the notification of his/her winning or if the winner fails to pickup the prize within thirty (30) days of notification of arrival, such winning entrant shall be deemed to have forfeited his / her claim to the prize and the sponsor will conduct a secondary drawing to select a winner. The sponsors decision is final with respect to all matters relating to awarding of the prize and shall not be subject to review or appeal by any entrant or by any third party.
Your participation in the raffle is deemed your agreement that the Sponsor may use your name, likeness or image for promotional and marketing purposes without the requirement for any payment to you and you hereby grant the Sponsor the right to do the same and expressly waive any claims against the Sponsor in this regard. The Prize is neither transferable nor exchangeable. By entering the raffle, each entrant unreservedly agrees to these terms and conditions, which govern the raffle and the awarding of the prize. By entering the raffle each entrant agrees to release, discharge and hold harmless the Sponsor, its legal representatives, affiliates, subsidiaries, agencies and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents from any damages whatsoever suffered, sustained or allegedly sustained in connection the Raffle or the acceptance of the Prize.
The winner shall be solely responsible for any taxes, installation, storage, delivery or other fees levied in relation to the receipt of the prize. The winner shall be responsible for arranging for delivery or pickup of the system at Greenfield Solar Store, 2 Fiske Avenue, Greenfield MA 01301, (413) 772-3122 upon it's arrival. The Sponsor reserves the right to alter these terms and conditions at any time and in its sole discretion. The Sponsor reserves the right, at any time, to cancel, modify or suspend the raffle if, in its sole judgment, the raffle is not capable of being conducted as specified. The winners names will be disclosed to anyone who writes to the sponsor at its physical address. These terms and conditions and any matters relating hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Vermont and jurisdiction over any and all disputes shall be exclusive to the state and federal courts in Vermont. All sales of tickets to this raffle are final and 100% non-refundable.
Thanks for your support and good luck!