This fall 200 randomly-selected Vermonters hunkered down with experts and state officials for an intensive weekend to discuss where they think Vermont’s power should come from in the coming decade.

We look at the outcomes of that energy meeting and study the big picture of Vermont's energy portfolio with Stephen Wark of the Public Service Department, Bob Young, president of CVPS, Vermont largest power provider, and James Moore, president of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group.(Listen)

Also in the program, news analysis with VPR reporters (Listen) 

And we listen back to some of the voices in this week's news.(Listen)

Comments from listeners on our energy discussion:

Jerry in Proctor:

Vermont is such a beautiful place. Do we really want wind turbines on our ridge lines where everyone can see them? They don't produce much power. Is it all about symbols? It's pretty clear to me that big business wins, the rest of us lose "solutions" to a problem better solved with efficiency and better base load power generation.

Fred in Windsor:

Vermont Yankee has surpassed it's time. We cannot afford to chance what could be a very dangerous facility. It is not clean energy. It is dangerous, radioactive waste and thousands of people are in its path. The plant should
not be over 80 percent. Renewing this plant for another 20 years could put Vermont off the map should something serious happen. Sticky valves are a serious matter. This plant should be taken offline and we should be working with Hydro-Quebec or clean energy.

Euan in Bakersfield:

I was at a presentation in St. Albans last fall regarding energy that included a representative from Hydro Quebec. She outlined the upcoming huge dam project (which also includes redirecting a river) that would increase
their energy production substantially. On the one hand, Hydro Quebec might be willing to negotiate on price because they would want to guarantee the income to help fund their giant project. The price might also come down if the project creates tremendous excess capacity. Increasing our percentage of base-load power from Hydro Quebec faces a limitation in the form of transmission lines and switches, requiring a substantial investment from us. Finally, there is the issue that the construction of the new reservoir and changing the flow of the river involves displacement of indigenous people. HQ suggests that no one will be displaced without their agreement and permission. I have read a first-person account that disputes that assertion, but that's another story.