Rep. Peter Welch issued the below statement following the ruling by a federal judge to allow Vermont Yankee to continue operating beyond its scheduled license expiration.

"This is a major setback for Vermont and for all states with nuclear power plants. It simply defies common sense that a state cannot have a say in its energy future. This issue was settled in Vermont until Entergy reneged on its agreement to give Vermonters a voice in relicensing Vermont Yankee. I intend to work closely with Governor Shumlin and Senators Leahy and Sanders on an appropriate response to Entergy's misguided decision to railroad the relicensing of this plant."