IMBYism with Vermont Yankee

The New York Times has published an interesting article on Vernon, Vermont. The people of Vernon support Vermont Yankee and, among other benefits, suggest that VY has raised their property values and local tax base, which improves the town infrastructure and schools. While 15 Vermont towns passed resolutions asking to close it, Vernon remains dedicated to VY.

My own thoughts, after the jump:


Photo by NY Times.

Siting issues, particularly local concerns such as NIMBYism, has been an area of particular interest to me during the past year as I've worked on a couple projects. I am surprised by Vernon's response (not astonished, though; many towns grow to attached to local government projects). They joke about VY, they seem quite attached to it for all the obvious economic reasons, but also (it appears) some self-identification reasons. As VY goes, so goes Vernon. As the title of my post suggests, this is a case of "IMBY"--please keep the nuclear plant "in my back yard."