Vermont Yankee power plant trial begins

BERNARDSTON, Mass. (WWLP) - The trial that will determine the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant's future has begun and some Franklin County residents are paying close attention.

The State of Vermont wants to close the nuclear plant when its initial 40-year operating license expires next March, however Entergy Corp. is attempting to keep it open.

Clare Manz of Bernardston in Franklin County told 22News she's always been concerned about the safety of the plant and she's interested to see what happens.

"I do think a lot about the risk and you never know. An accident could happen and there's a lot of cancer around too. It's a funny thing to know you might get a phone call, you're supposed to take an iodine pill, which I don't have and really should get," Manz said.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued the plant a 20-year license extension.