Nearby resident says living 10 miles from Vermont Yankee causes daily anxiety for family

At the rally a resident identified as Ellen K., who said she lives roughly 10 miles from the Vermont Yankee reactor, described the emotional and practical toll of living near the plant. "I live with a child who has anxiety about what what do we do with our pets if something happens?" she said, describing monthly siren tests, school evacuation discussions and the constant concern that an evacuation plan could fail in an emergency.

Ellen K. said the daily reality of preparing for a potential reactor event affects family life and that residents deserve peace of mind: "I would gladly pay 100% more for safe, clean, sustainable electricity from wind or solar or methane. The peace of mind would be worth every penny." She urged state leaders to choose renewables and to consider worker retraining so plant employees are not left unemployed by closure.

Her remarks were part of a broader rally in which legislators and organizers urged action on decommissioning and renewable energy; the transcript records no immediate response from utility representatives or regulators to the safety concerns she raised.