Students and local groups at Montpelier rally push solar projects and green jobs as alternatives to Vermont Yankee

Several student speakers and community organizers used the rally to highlight concrete local renewable projects and the economic case for replacing Vermont Yankee. Jackson Bachelder, a student representing his school, said the school plans to pursue grants to install solar panels. "We're here to kind of bring everything all together," he said, describing student interest in making their school go solar.

Organizers and speakers argued that investment in renewables would create thousands of jobs and cited federal stimulus money as a funding source to kick-start local projects. Dave Blitterdorf of the Clean Green Vermont Alliance used a themed car to symbolize outdated technology at the plant and argued modern wind and solar are cheaper than nuclear. Performers such as Laura Simon and the Raging Grannies used music to underline the message and to build public momentum.

Speakers also encouraged regional involvement: Claire Chang from Massachusetts noted that Western Massachusetts purchases a substantial share of power from Vermont Yankee and urged residents there to pursue conservation and local installations where utilities allow.