A Plume For Your Thoughts

Finally! Our first film of the walk. Thank you Carl! Click on:

Step It Up Walk

Here is where my mind goes every time I hear Entergy spout off “Clean, Safe, Reliable” or “We’ve been operating for XX days in a row now”

“Nuclear power plants don’t have to blow up or melt down to release radioactive poisons into our air and water. All it takes is their routine, everyday operation.”(Kay Dry, Safe Energy Communications Council, 1990)

Tritium. That’s today’s buzzword and yet another of a very long list of reasons why this dilapidated, polluting reactor must be shut down immediately and replaced with other forms of electricity production. On Thursday, Entergy’s ever-present spokesperson Rob Williams announced:

Our environmental monitoring department reports that, for the first time, a small amount of tritium has been identified in a sample taken from a monitoring well at the plant.

Well-worded Rob! But not quite sir. In fact, in a report provided to the VT legislature in May 2009, tritium was found. And in today’s Rutland Herald article entitled “Tests suggest radioactive leak at VY”

The well, located between the reactor building and the river, first showed contamination of radioactive tritium at 700 parts per liter in mid-November, but by Wednesday, the contamination had jumped to 17,000 parts per liter.

I am not so sure we can trust them to act in the people’s best interest moving forward. But enough about the Entergy/Enexus band aid campaign. How are those walkers doing? Let’s hear from the walkers:

I had the privilege of being able to join the Step It Up group…from Windsor to White River Junction Wednesday. I didn't know exactly how my day would unfold, but in the beginning I was towards the front of the line walking along to the beat of Hattie's drum - an awesome way for me to find my rhythm and get into a good mindset for the 15-mile walk. Twenty of us had a clear day in the 20's with only some wind - I guess that would be considered a fairly good day for walking in the Vermont winter. It was hard work and I got sore towards the end - but the great conversations and rest stops broke up the day and helped the 15 miles pass without feeling too long. Finishing 15 miles felt good, but gave me even more admiration for what most of my fellow walkers have accomplished by walking most or all of the 69 miles so far! We encountered wonderful hospitality along the way, especially by our hosts for lunch and dinner. Barbara at Earthstar Pottery took us in for a fairly spontaneous lunch stop and Birdie met us at the Upper Valley Co-op in White River Junction where she had organized neighborhood potluck for the rest day. Most people driving by made an effort to show their support with a honk, wave, or thumbs up. People rolled down their windows or even came out of their homes to say "thank you"! It was an amazing experience, one I will always remember. The group was well organized, supportive, and fun. My thoughts will be with the group for the rest of the way and especially in Montpelier!”

Cory Frehsee

Brattleboro, Age 33

The day ended with the arrival at the Old South Church (First Congregational Church) and was cheerfully met by Pastor Mandy Lape-Freeberg. She was exceptionally accommodating a

nd had some time to eat and converse with the walkers. Bob was able to help out with a water-heater issue.

Walkers are finding this venture to be a wonderful opportunity to soak in the splendor and history of VT. The Pastor explained that the original Old South Church, which burned down and was rebuilt in 1798, was where the VT constitution was written. It was then signed in the tavern next door, now called “The Constitution House.”

Route 5 provides walkers with moving views of the VT landscape. Mt. Ascutney never seemed so stunning as walkers approached, veered, and passed the natural landmark, allowing ample time to appreciate what we can so easily scurry by on any given day. On Wednesday morning, walkers felt as if they had wandered into the movie Dr. Zhivago, as the fog from the river billowed from the passing train.

The feedback continues to be overwhelmingly positive and many people instantly “knew who we were.” Bob recounts one older gentleman opening his garage door and shouting, “Go get ‘em!”

Thursday was a day to rest-up, make phone calls and prepare for the latter 50+ miles. In the evening, walkers were invited to a potluck and discussion by the WRJ Transition Town group, which was followed by a screening of the film “Global Banquet.”

In my now routine morning call with Bob earlier today, team ‘Strut It To Shut It’ was in the midst of beginning the official veer northwest, heading up Rte 14 following the White River towards Sharon. Along the way, an update was provided to the listeners of WKVT, channeled by the Great Steve West. Tonight, walkers will once again be treated to a celebratory potluck.

I must flower the followers and supporters with an abundance of thanks and gratitude. The positive feedback and donations once again validates that our role is to bring the voices of the people to the VT Statehouse…The “People’s House.” It’s become clear we don’t need to ‘tell’ legislators to close VY…they know this already. What they need to hear is that The People want VY closed.

Thank you again to the drivers and those providing food and shelter. And thank you to Yaktrax for providing walkers with dozens of Yaktrax Walkers, to help get everyone from point A to point B safely.

We intend to do a full photo exhibit of Bob on his cell phone. Check you local art gallery soon.

News and goodies below.

Be warm!

Chad Simmons

Full Photo Album Here

News:

Green Mountain Daily-Tritium Leak at Vermont Yankee

Times Argus-Tritium

Reformer-Tritium

(looks as if the Reformer just cut and pasted the ENVYpress release)

Bennington Banner

As The Snow Flies

Despite confusing weather reports, day two of the Step It Up walk was a straightforward success (Take a gander at today’s still-shots and you’ll know what I’m talking about). Walkers and supporters are now sitting down to a potluck dinner and resting those feet for tonight’s dance and celebration at Boccelli’s. The elation from walkers on the road makes me wish I could make the whole walk…but alas, I’m home jabbing away at my keyboard…supporting from afar.

Bob called around 8:30 this morning jovial and completely charged up. The conflicting weather reports made it challenging to plan for today’s jaunt (“Should we leave early and huff it? Or, do we hang tight and push it in the afternoon?) All told, walkers only took on about 2 inches of snow and some wicked wind-gusts between Putney and Bellows Falls, but completely manageable.

About three-dozen folks started out the morning with nearly 30 walkers making the whole stretch. We had a 12 year old, a 78 year old, a New Yorker and everyone in between. Walkers were gleefully welcomed for lunch in Westminster where they enjoyed hot soup and the cozy, warm respite of kind supporters. The crew pulled into the evening’s bunkhouse around 3:00pm to switch shoes prior to the potluck and dance.

All told, feedback from drivers passing the poised walkers was positive and upbeat. There were numerous honks and thumbs-up in support of the walkers throughout the day…more positive than negative. Rich Garrant (Brattleboro, VT) recalled one not-so-nice comment tossed out a scurrying vehicle: “You F***ing freaks!” Rich chuckled.

While talking to Betsy Williams (Westminster West, VT), she was enjoying some hot chocolate and veggies at the Compass School, Sunday’s crash joint. She was reflecting on the past two days and how rejuvenating it was to have a warm, mid-day stop for lunch. She felt that the spirit of the walkers was really good and there was a strong sense of solidarity. She also wanted to thank Vermont State Representatives David Deen and Mike Mrowicki for attending the previous evening’s events.

Cate Woolner (Northfield, MA) lamented that the weather was not too bad, but the last mile told her “she was insane for doing this. It feels like a long way to Montpelier.” She echoed that most responses from passers-by were positive and “felt friendly.” Unfortunately, the exception were the two fingers flung in the groups direction. Cate exclaimed her pleasure that three others from Northfield, MA (5 miles away from Vermont Yankee) were on the journey north. She felt the experience is allowing participants to “be open to one another…” and felt everything was “organic.”

Woody Bernhard (Marlboro, VT) echoed the thanks and appreciation for all the support the walkers have received thus far. He felt everything was very well organized. Woody adds “we couldn’t do it with out their support. The lunches…that’s where you feel the support.”

Which leads me to a word about support…over the past couple of weeks, the Entergy/Enexus machine has been hard at work forcing public ‘support’ and throwing gobs of money (our electric bill dollars) at the issue. Today, I read an opinion piece by VT Department of Public Service Commissioner David O’Brien in the Times Argus and an Entergy banner ad popped up at the top of my screen. How about that for ‘support.’ The point is, those making hot soup, providing a place to sleep and coordinating potlucks and dances for the walkers, are demonstrating genuine support for what so many of us feel is the best path forward…the way WE want to power our communities…our houses, businesses, schools and public buildings.

As each day passes and each step is taken, it becomes clearer that Vermont chooses efficient, renewable solutions. Vermont chooses community support over multi-million dollar, canned support.

For those of you following along and if you live in VT, call your legislator. Let them know you support an energy future without the Entergy/Enexus machine at the helm. Click here to find out how to contact them. The VT legislative sessions, starts this week! Also, if you haven’t yet and you live in the 20-mile Evacuation Zone, sign our “Statement of Support to Retire Vermont Yankee on time.”

I’ll be bringing it again shortly. Walk on…as they say.

C.B. Simmons

www.safeandgreencampagin.org

**All photos from January 3, curtosy of David Shaw©

To view our full set of photos, Click Here.