Decommissioning cost grows for nuclear plant

VERNON — The owners of Vermont Yankee nuclear plant say the estimated cost of mothballing it has increased $25 million in the past year while the amount of money available for doing so has shrunk.

In a filing with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission this week, Entergy Nuclear said its decommissioning fund lost $93 million in value.

The company now says that decommissioning the Vernon facility will cost $909 million, up from $875 million, the Rutland Herald reported Friday.

Vermont Yankee’s owners are seeking permission to add another 20 years to its operating license, which is scheduled to expire in 2012.

At the same time, Vermont lawmakers are considering a bill that would require Entergy Nuclear to make additional contributions to the decommissioning fund.