Forum addresses future of energy in Vermont

It's uncertain if Vermont Yankee will meet a Nov. 1 deadline to offer future power contract to the state's utilities, setting up the prospect that the Legislature won't vote on the relicensing of the nuclear power plant this session.

Legislative leaders set the deadline but Jay Thayer, the plant's vice president of operations, said Tuesday that he didn't know if the company would meet it.

Thayer was speaking at a forum held by Associated Industries of Vermont on state's energy future.

Outside the forum, about a dozen demonstrators held signs calling for the nuclear plant to be shut down.

AIV is focusing on energy as the Legislature prepares to debate whether Vermont Yankee's license to operate should be extended for 20 years.