Vermonters rally to replace Vermont Yankee with renewable energy

Hundreds of residents and activists gathered on the State House lawn in Montpelier on April 29 to press state legislators to prevent Vermont Yankee from operating past its agreement and to accelerate investment in renewable energy and a smarter grid. "The will of the people in Vermont is to replace Vermont Yankee and to do it now," a lead organizer told the crowd, urging attendees to contact their legislators and attend trainings scheduled that day.

Speakers credited Act 160 and local organizing with forcing public oversight of the plant and called for federal stimulus dollars to be invested in renewable generation and distribution infrastructure. "We will create a green revolution by replacing Vermont Yankee with sustainable energy solutions and efficiency," one organizer said, adding that distributed energy and a smart grid are needed so small producers can feed power into the system.

The rally included a press conference and a lobbying training scheduled for the same day; organizers asked supporters to visit the statehouse between noon and 1 p.m. and take part in a Vermont Nuke 101 workshop. Performers and school groups amplified the message with songs and student accounts of solar projects, while speakers emphasized job creation from local green industries as an economic rationale for change.

Event leaders also framed the campaign as a test for state leadership. Several speakers contrasted the legislature's effort to require decommissioning funds with what they described as the governor's deference to the utility, and they urged lawmakers to hold the company accountable for cleanup costs. The day closed with community songs and plans for more coordinated lobbying and outreach.