AI-driven power demands reignite debate over nuclear power in Vermont

VERNON, Vt. (WCAX) — Could Vermont play a role in the development of more nuclear energy?

The Trump administration is vowing to unleash American energy, in part, by rebooting or building new nuclear energy plants, and Vermont is among the states exploring a nuclear future.

Vermont Yankee, the state’s only nuclear plant, closed about a decade ago and was torn down.

But Vermont utilities still source about 20% of our power portfolio from out-of-state nuclear.

And as we contend with extreme weather and a greater demand for power, Vermont is beginning to explore nuclear as a cleaner option compared to other sources.

Vernon-based Vermont Yankee, a 620-megawatt reactor, came online in the 1970s, and at one time, provided one-third of Vermont’s power.

But public pushback, competitive energy alternatives and concerns around its operator sparked a yearslong power struggle on whether the plant should operate.

Vermont Yankee lost public and political support following the discovery of leaking underground pipes, and the Legislature effectively voted to close the plant in 2014.

“We have a business partner in Entergy that if its board of directors and management were thoroughly infiltrated by anti-nuclear activists, I do not believe they could have done a better job destroying their own case,” Sen. Randy Brock, R-Franklin County, said in 2010.

Gov. Phil Scott was in the Senate at the time and was one of four votes to keep Vermont Yankee open.

“I think we should look at nuclear as a short-term bridge as to where we have to go. It should be part of the solution,” Scott, R-Vermont, said last week.

Now, the power picture is different. The computer power needed to run artificial intelligence is driving a crushing demand for new sources of energy.

“We’re looking for energy that’s affordable, that’s reliable and sustainable,” Vt. Public Service Commissioner Kerrick Johnson said.

Some states are turning to smaller, modular nuclear plants.

Vermont is in talks with other New England states, exploring whether small nuclear plants are viable.

“As a matter of responsibility for Vermont ratepayers, this is something we have to at least explore to understand what the possibilities are, whether it’s located in Vermont or not,” Johnson said.

Vermont was a hotbed of the “No nuke” movement dating back to the ’60s, and it would be highly unlikely a plant would be built here.

But many questions remain, like how to scale up uranium mines and how to safely store radioactive waste.

Some in the Legislature are leery of building a plant here.

“Maybe Vermont shouldn’t go first. Maybe this is something that we should see how it goes and let it prove itself, particularly because, as a technology, this is so new,” said Sen. Anne Watson, D-Washington County.

These rebooted nuclear talks come as Vermont lawmakers passed requirements that we source all of our electricity from renewable resources to reduce our carbon emissions.

However, nuclear is not considered renewable.

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