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SW: →License extension: - add external links and text re VT Senate blocking license extension
A review by [[Nuclear Safety Associates]] concluded that Vermont Yankee (VY) could operate safely past 2012, if Entergy invests needed resources. The report noted many management "weaknesses" at the plant, adding: "The panel recognizes VY's good historical performance but questions whether the transformer fire [in 2004] and the repetitive cooling tower failures [in 2007 and 2008] are indicative of declining performance that will result in unacceptable reliability. ... As nuclear plants age beyond the 40-year mark, the unexpected can occur, and VY is not immune." <ref>Bob Audette, "[http://www.reformer.com/ci_11938943 Panel: VY safe but more resources needed]," ''Brattleboro Reformer'' (Vermont), March 18, 2009.</ref>
On February 24, 2010 the Vermont Senate voted 26-4 against S.289, a proposal that could have approved operation of the aging nuclear reactor continuing through 2032. This Senate vote denied the House side of the General Assembly and the then governor, [[James Douglas]], from weighing in on extending operations past the scheduled closing date of March 21, 2012. The move was orchestrated by Senate President [[Peter Shumlin]], D-Windham, <ref>Galloway, Anne. "[http://vtdigger.org/2010/02/25/permission-denied-in-one-fell-swoop-vermont-senate-blocks-yankee-license-renewal/ Permission Denied: In One Fell Swoop, Vermont Senate Blocks Yankee License Renewal]," ''VTDigger.Org'' (Vermont), February 25, 2010.</ref> who on November 2, 2010 was elected to succeed Douglas as governor. <ref>Curran, John. "[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/03/AR2010110300964.html Vt. GOP Gov. Candidate Concedes to Democrat]," ''Washington Post'' (AP Vermont Bureau Chief), November 3, 2010.</ref>
==Funds for closing the plant in doubt==
