Greenpeace protests Vermont nuclear plant

VERNON, Vt., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace said it flew a thermal airship over a Vermont nuclear power plant to highlight the plant's risk.

Vermont in February voted to close the 38-year-old nuclear power facility. A leak of radioactive water forced the plant to close in early November, which Greenpeace said is a recurring trend that means it's time to shut the facility for good.

Greenpeace said it flew a thermal airship over the "risky" reactor to send a message to plant owners Entergy that it's time to close the reactor.

"Rather than continue to lose money and corporate credibility in an effort to relicense the 38-year-old reactor, we ask that Entergy act like a good corporate citizen, respect the will of Vermonters and permanently shut down (the) Vermont Yankee (nuclear power plant)," Greenpeace said in a letter to the company.

Despite the February vote, Entergy said it is trying to find a buyer for the plant.

"Our motivation for exploring the sale of the plant is simple -- we want to do whatever is in the best interest of our stakeholders, including the approximately 650 men and women who work at the plant," said J. Wayne Leonard, Entergy's chairman and chief executive officer, in a Nov. 4 statement.

Greenpeace said the plant is supposed to close in 2012.