Dean criticizes nuclear, data centers in Vermont energy debate

Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean has voiced strong concerns regarding proposals to expand nuclear power and attract large-scale data centers to the state, arguing these initiatives pose significant long-term environmental and economic risks. In an April 20 letter published by VTDigger, Dean, a Burlington resident, criticized these as "two bad ideas on energy." Dean's opposition to nuclear expansion stems from unresolved issues of radioactive waste, citing the spent fuel still stored at the decommissioned Vermont Yankee plant in Vernon. He contended that expanding nuclear generation without addressing long-term storage is illogical and carries environmental hazards. He did not, however, acknowledge advancements in nuclear fuel recycling or the reduced waste from new small modular reactors, which proponents argue could mitigate these issues. Regarding data centers, Dean highlighted their land-intensive nature and limited creation of permanent jobs, using examples from Loudoun County, Virginia, to illustrate how such facilities primarily generate short-term construction work while placing substantial demands on energy infrastructure. This criticism comes amidst increasing electricity demand in New England, partly due to electrification and the rise of AI technologies. The debate also touches on regional energy policy, with Dean criticizing ISO New England for not prioritizing Vermont's renewable resources, contributing to rising electricity costs.