Senate committee wants oversight of Vermont Yankee

A state Senate committee wants the Legislature to appoint a panel that would oversee an independent review of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.

Last week the Senate Finance Committee passed a bill calling for the "vertical audit'' of the plant before the state decides whether the plant should continue to operate after its current license expires in 2012.

Vermont Yankee owner Entergy Nuclear says the review is unnecessary. State officials say the review could take too long. Anti-nuclear lobbyists say the proposal doesn't go far enough.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering an application by Vermont Yankee to continue operating after 2012. The state must also approve the continued operation of the plant.