Vt. nuclear plant makes cut-rate power offer on eve of vote that could lead to its demise

Awaiting crucial vote, Vt. nuke plant makes offer

MONTPELIER, Vt. — A Vermont nuclear plant in danger of being shut down is offering cut-rate power in what it says is an effort to help the state build jobs, but critics are suspicious of its motives.

Plant officials on Tuesday announced it would reserve 25 megawatts of power for economic development projects in Vermont at 4 cents per kilowatt hour.

The offer comes a day before the state Senate votes on whether to allow the reactor to continue operating beyond the expiration of its license in 2012.

Proponents of shutting down Vermont’s only nuclear plant note that it has been leaking radioactive tritium and say it’s becoming less reliable near the end of its life.

Nuclear critic James Moore calls Tuesday’s offer an 11th-hour bribe. And Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin says he expects the offer from Entergy Corp. not to affect the Senate debate.