As I continue to say goodbye to my many Vermont Yankee friends I have a heavy heart. I have followed IBrattleboro for a long time but I have not contributed – other than for an obituary – prior to today. Candidly, I believe I am in the minority in respect to my opinions as compared to most of you.That’s okay as our differences are part of what makes us such an incredible community.
That said, during the past two months I have found myself in far too many conversations with departing Vermont Yankee employees. Most [ read almost all ] do not wish to leave. Many [ read most ] are in tears as they speak with me. Yes, some remain angry if not bitter. But that seems to have dissipated over the last 12 months or so. Universally they are simply sad to have to leave.
My opinion is that we have not done enough – not even remotely close – to thanking these wonderful families for their contributions to our towns. We have all benefited from the charitable actions of Vermont Yankee employees. All of us. I remain pro-nuclear. But that is not the basis of my comments. The core of my comments are about these families and how our community has so easily let them go. [ or asked them to leave, honestly… ]
I ask this of you. Say “thanks and good luck” to Vermont Yankee families that you know. Share with them whatever blessing, words of encouragement or well-wishes that you feel. Let them know that THEY MADE A DIFFERENCE – because they did.
Looking forward and building our community is the absolute right way to proceed. There is zero value in being stuck on what we’ve lost. [ please appreciate that I am talking about the “people”, not the issue of nuclear energy ] These are incredible families and with their departure we lose a lot more than jobs.
Thanks for listening.
ok
A parable. Many years ago, I was repeatedly getting the wrong mail or my mail extremely later than I was used to. It used to arrive by around 930, 10am, and now was arriving by 3 or even 4 pm. When one particularly egregious error occurred (I can’t remember what at this point) I called up the Brattleboro Post Office and complained to the postmaster about it. Ever in her defense, he said to me “She works hard.” thus putting an end to the conversation.
It’s one thing to criticize actions, of a professional or a whole company. It’s far another thing to come to the conclusion that the criticism of individual, or even whole company, is in some way saying they are bad or evil (even if some rancourous protestors might hold the occasional sign proclaiming it is). In my opinion Peter Shumlin jumped the gun and made a political mistake by trying matters with VY in court in order to catalyze its demise and in doing so, he created an alienated backlash. But I would respectfully submit that he never made such a move with the intention of being “against” the employees. He’s just not that indecent. – edit – I would add that I doubt most the protesters against VY over the years had any mean-spirited motivation towards the employees there, save for the fact that their approach to the end-game politics could easily appear as a cavalier disregard for the employees’ future well-being. The only idea only ever being the urgency to shut it down, the consequences of which to be dealt with vaguely later.
I don’t envy the position of anyone at VY losing their job. Just the same, I really doubt having little ol’ me walk up to any of them and giving them a pat on the back is going to help matters for them, not that I know of any. I don’t think anyone wishes anyone who worked there any more bad luck than they are presently experiencing. Politicization of this has been a nasty thing. And the irony of the whole matter is that the end of VY has largely come about for reasons far other than the decades of protest against it. Certainly there are those that are crying huzzah at the demise of VY, but there are those, such as myself, a bit more ambivalent and circumspect about it all.
The Natives
It is sad to see some of these folks going through the decision process of what to do. I have a friend who’s trying to decide whether to try to find a job locally or take a job at Pilgrim which is 2 1/2 hrs away. He’s willing to take a pay cut to stay local but with 4 children, two of which will be in college soon, he’s contemplating taking the job at Pilgrim and getting an apartment with a co worker who is also taking a job there. The sign on bonus is very appealing. I also know of 2 others that will be taking jobs in NY.
It’s hard for all the employees but let’s face it, some moved here with the industry and will think nothing of shaking the dust off their shoes. But the folks that were born and raised here, and have worked at probably the highest paying employer in the area, have to make the hard decision to take a job many miles away and leave loved ones here are the ones that may have a lot harder struggle.
I doubt anyone in Montpelier or Louisiana will understand this part of the shutdown.
I agree with Toyboy about Shumlin. He’s almost a victim in this and not a conqueror. He fell victim to the politics of a majority in this state that “fed” him politically and he certainly won’t bite the hand that feeds him. He may never “feel” the fallout as he may be long gone when the common man is trying to pick up the pieces or survive here.
I wonder how many ,that have supported Shumlin and came here from somewhere else, will stay here if times get tough. Or will they, like many of the VY employees,shake the dust off their shoes and move somewhere else.
...
I just want to clarify before this descends into a Governor Shumlin debate, which is not what I intended in mentioning him. Doing politics and remarking on them is one thing. Making assumptions as to what any given politician is “feeling” is another and rather risky and pointless stuff. I only know what I know of him personally, and I’m not going to pretend he’s indecent enough not to care about the fallout. Just because he sees a future of energy production away from nuclear power doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about the future welfare of laid off employees of VY. I’m not up on what his admin is doing about it, or TRYING to do, but I’d be shocked if it were nothing. I’d prefer a liberal government at hand, such as his administration is, that still believes in handing out help when help is needed. Being aware of the limits of what his administration can do is different than having one with limited views of what govt can do. It’s just as useful to put yourself in his shoes and think about the challenge to fill the void as it might be to put yourself in the shoes of a VY employee.
IF he really did act rashly and without forethought towards trying to end VY, you can be sure the reality of it is now right in the middle of his plate. And I don’t envy him.
nothing
Well, I can tell you that he has done nothing for me and my family. In a few weeks, I will not have a job. I have no offers for a new job, and its not like I haven’t tried (over a hundred resumes sent out). Once the severance and unemployment run out, we will not have a home. My kids will not be able to go to college. I’m too old to get a new job and can’t afford to retire. Basically at a dead end, thanks to Shumlin and everyone else who pushed to shut down VY. Congratulations, you destroyed my family’s financial future. Hope you’re happy and proud of yourselves.
waaah
complain complain complain… you and *only you* are responsible for your destiny… if you’re in a tight spot right now, you should have planned better… i have sympathy for you and your situation, but to blame anyone else for the situation you are in, is ignorant… did you really think that VY would be here forever, or at least long enough for you to retire? are you really SO specialized in your field of work that you would be unwilling to take a job at lesser pay?
it’s tough when reality smacks you in the face like this, but you can either sit there and have a pity party, or get up and do something about it… you might not feel comfortable with what you have to do, but complaining about what has already happened, that you have no control over, does nothing.
Just Remember
I’d be easy on them Karl. It may be that all these years they’ve been paying income tax to fund “Trustifarian” programs in Vermont and the one time they’d like some help from the state they can’t see any.
It’s not like a control room operator can walk into cersosimo lumber and make 6 figures.
Don't buy it
As people here know, I’m a staunch supporter of nuclear power but this smells like BS on number of levels.
Gov. Dumblin didn’t shut down VY, low gas prices and Entergy’s hubris did.
From all accounts, Entergy did much more than required for the employees and if you don’t want to move to another nuclear site, that’s on you.
Not On Me
It’s not on me that I won’t move to another nuclear site if they don’t offer me employment. And they haven’t. And I know the reason (too old). Entergy says I should just take my severance and retirement and go quietly into the night. I can’t afford that, not with kids in school. So where am I going to go with no job offers? Ride the garbage truck? Brew lattes at Starbucks? Sorry, no offers there, either. Too old, too educated, too expensive.
More to the story?
Your retention bonus was probably $100,000+ from what I can infer from your post (“too expensive”). Since severance is based on your years of service and if you’ve been there a long time, that might be another 20+ weeks of pay. Plus you are getting a pension on top of that! Sounds like someone hasn’t been living within their means and planning for the future.
All that experience and education but Entergy isn’t offering you employment anywhere else? I guess I would be reluctant to keep someone who publicly calls their executive team a pack of liars since they were quite clear that they didn’t shutdown VY because of the politics.
I don’t think many people are going to have much sympathy for you.
more, but not what you think
It is easy to simply assume that someone isn’t living within their means and not planning ahead when you know nothing of them and their individual situation. Our planning for the future included the aspirations and goals of our children (medical school, etc.), taking care of loved ones who are in need, among other things. That required money, and lots of it. Which was fine as long as we were working, but other people decided to take that away from us. Unless you’ve walked in those shoes (which, from your glib and dismissive comments, it appears you haven’t), you do not appreciate how much physical, emotional, and financial cost you incur from those things. Pension, severance, and retention won’t begin to cover the needs in those situations. We might make it through next summer with those things, but after that we’re done.
Everyone I have contacted and talked to has some variation of the typical “we don’t have anything that matches your qualifications” theme. That is the “official” story. But it is easy to read between the lines. Employers can’t ask you your age, but if they see a college graduation date going back to the mid 1970s, they can pretty well guess that unless you are Doogie Houser, you’re probably pretty old.
You know, it takes a pretty cruel and heartless person to criticize and kick someone else when they are down. Keep doing it if it makes you feel good, but, in the years I have been on this Earth, I have noted many times where, somehow and in time, justice has a way of repaying those who show such cruelty and heartlessness to others. You may think you are now in a position to criticize and judge me, but remember your circumstances can change as well. Justice, karma, whatever you want to call it, is powerful, so before you criticize and judge others, know that one day you could very well be in the same shoes. And no amount of glibness and “planning ahead” will matter then.
It's exactly what I think
You are the one who came here with false accusations and feeling sorry for yourself while blaming others.
“We” were working? Did your spouse work there also?
Sounds like you should be upset at Entergy, not Gary Sachs and Deb Katz.
So you are ~64 years old and completely unprepared for retirement all while making >$100,000/year plus a nice, fat pension, severance and retention. I don’t see much sympathy coming your way.
I wouldn’t hire you just based on your posts here.
That's The Problem, You Don't Think
You’d rather denigrate and kick others of whom you know nothing. And forget about hiring me. I wouldn’t work for someone as cruel, heartless, and mean-spirited as you. Nor would I expect any commentary that shows a thread of compassion from someone who’d rather take the coward’s way out and call someone they don’t know a liar. I can only hope that you change your ways before it is too late, because, if not, you can be sure that your time is coming. There is a special kind of just retribution for those who show such disdain and hatred for those who are suffering through no fault of their own. You just don’t give a damn. Well, fine, there will come a time where no one will give a damn about you, either. But you won’t care about that, either.
Anyway, keep up the bashing if it makes you feel better and further satisfies your cruel and ruthless need to run others down. I’m done with you.
Yes..
Seeing the people relocate is sad. And please make no mistake about the impact that our non-profit sector is about to feel. There are very few businesses large enough to fill that financial void. Like them or not, Entergy contributions were largely unmatched. Call it buying friends if you want to, but either way, that money is gone and will be missed by many non-profits.
Cruelty, compassion and gas prices
Like many people in Brattleboro, I am both strongly opposed to the nuclear waste producing plant, and sorry for anyone in the position of needing to find a new job who is having difficulty finding it.
Cruelty and sarcasm are always a choice. Some people leap at the chance to dole out both. Its in their nature, or, they cultivate it. Either way, it doesn’t help anyone.
The closing of the plant has more to do with the low cost of gas, and to and the small size of the plant, according to Entergy. For a long time, the profitability of the plant was tenuous.
One place Entergy may have access to a steady revenue stream, is by suing the federal government for not taking the nuclear waste off their hands. With expert lawyers, they can make that a profitable proposition, as they are free to argue how much it costs to properly store and manage the waste already on site.
My personal take is that we need a governor like Shumlin to advocate for our interests. That includes advocating for the workers of VY and for the financial package that Windham county will benefit from. Is it enough? No. Is it more than a pro Entergy governor would have gotten. Damn likely.
Suing the DOE
Suing the federal government (DOE) isn’t a revenue stream, it would just be recouping the costs of interim spent fuel storage in the dry casks outside.
Sure if you trust them not to inflate the costs
Otherwise, its a revenue stream, for potentially hundreds of years.
Also, since its the judgement its coming out of, its really coming out of taxpayers’s pockets.
Its a good gig, if you can get it.
Really?
I don’t think you understand the word “revenue stream” or maybe you are just being sarcastic?
Of course big old bad Entergy is lying in federal court and no one is checking their numbers, that’s why they won a settlement of 1 trillion dollars. That was sarcasm BTW.