Markowitz: Plan Now for Jobs, Energy Opportunities for Post-Yankee Vermont

MONTPELIER—Today, Secretary of State Deb Markowitz offered her vision of a jobs and energy future for Vermont, recognizing that the closure of Vermont Yankee provides an opportunity to plan for growth in a cleaner, safer direction. Last month, Markowitz called on the legislature to hold a swift vote to close Vermont Yankee. Today, she announced that as Governor, she will create a Green Zone in Windham County, with new and expanded industries to generate jobs for Vermonters in clean energy, and she called on the legislature and administration to start now to plan for this transition.

Markowitz said, “Senator Shumlin said we need a vote now on Yankee and that we need to close it. That is why last month I called for a vote to close the plant. Yesterday, when asked to comment about the plan to vote on Yankee, Governor Douglas said we need to focus on jobs. That is why I see closing Yankee as an opportunity to focus on Vermont's energy future and innovation to create good jobs for displaced workers at in Windham County and beyond.

"The decommissioning of our nearly 40-year-old nuclear power plant will create a shift in how we meet our energy needs as a state and, without adequate planning, it will hurt the economy in Windham County," Markowitz said. "Vermont has the technical expertise, the natural resources and, most importantly, the community ethic to play a significant role in the emerging clean energy economy. We have some of the leading innovators in green energy right here in Vermont. With the combination of these existing businesses, academic research, private industry investment and government encouragement we could develop an energy ‘Silicon Valley’ in Vermont."

Markowitz spoke to members of each of the Congressional delegation's senior staff about federal efforts to support green energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Markowitz said, “we need to apply now for money that is available under the recovery act for green job planning and investments in renewable energy and efficiency, as well as money to help retrain displaced workers.”

She said she would begin talking with the regional economic development agencies as well as the renewable energy and energy efficiency businesses already located in Vermont about forming a Green Zone.

"A year from now, I expect to be the Governor of Vermont, and I expect to be less than a year from closing Vermont Yankee," Markowitz said. "That will not leave time to prepare for the economic and energy shift that will have to occur. That’s why I am urging the legislature and the administration to join me in starting to plan now. When I take office, we must be ready to move ahead. Vermont’s small size makes it easier for us to work together to get things done quickly and effectively. Let's commit Vermont to a two-year plan to focus on creating an economic and energy Green Zone in Vermont, centered in the transition area near Vermont Yankee."

Markowitz said her plan for a Green Zone will be realistic, collaborative and feasible.

"We are not going to end global warming by just doing our part in Vermont, and we are not going to seismically shift our economy overnight. We have suffered from a lack of leadership that has not planned in advanced to strengthen our communities. We must focus now on local projects where control and input from Vermonters who know best are included."

The press conference announcing her ideas for jobs and energy development was held at the Vermont State House, where she also submitted petitions of support to leadership of the state Senate and House. Markowitz said, “I came to the State House today with the names of Vermonters form every county in the state. They agree that we need to vote to close Vermont Yankee this year so we can move forward and plan for our energy and jobs future.

“I want my colleagues in the Senate and the House to understand the level of support they have from a wide range of Vermonters that signed on. I am with you, and your constituents are with you,” Markowitz said.