PSB Says Yankee Re-Licensing On Hold

(Host) Vermont Yankee's request for a new 20 year license is on hold at the Public Service Board.

Yankee wants permission to operate after its license expires in 2012. The PSB, which reviews utility cases, has held hearings. But under state law, the board cannot issue a decision without approval from the Legislature.

PSB Chairman James Volz was asked this week about the status of the re-licensing case. Volz confirmed that the case is stalled.

(Volz) "We're not going any where. The Legislature says we can't issue an order. We can't talk about it. This isn't noticed so we can't talk about it."

(Host) A separate Vermont Yankee case is moving forward at the PSB. The board has scheduled hearings for early January on whether the plant should be shut down because of last winter's leaks of radioactive tritium.