WVTK Local & State News September 14, 2011

Both sides will be presenting closing arguments today in the civil lawsuit against Vermont filed by Entergy, the owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Entergy claims only the Nuclear Regulatory Commission can regulate safety, and the agency already granted a license renewal to Vermont Yankee.

E.coli bacteria, most likely due Tropical Storm Irene, has left the West Rutland town school without clean water. There is now a boil-water order in effect. The school kitchen is now serving everything on paper plates with plastic silverware. Table cleanups are done with a bleach cleaner. Although water tests came back clean for the first time yesterday, it will still be at least Friday before the boil order is lifted.

New York towns damaged by flooding can learn more today about what federal help might be headed their way. FEMA is holding a briefing for municipalities and not-for-profit organizations. That includes counties, cities, villages, school districts, and first responders among others. The briefing will begin at 2:30 in the Stafford Science Building auditorium at Clinton Community College.

As road workers open up access to the most remote and damaged areas and home repairs are made in the wake of Hurricane Irene, Central Vermont Public Service is asking customers who can now take service to contact the company. They add that any electrical apparatus, such as electrical panels and breakers, must be replaced if they were submerged in flooding. CVPS is waiving all fees for temporary service connections required due to the storm. The fee is normally $80. Some customers in the most remote areas remain inaccessible due to road washouts, but road crews are improving access for utility vehicles daily.

More than two weeks after Tropical Storm Irene flooded area, the Red Cross has closed the last of its shelters. Officials say longer term housing arrangements have been made for the remaining people staying at shelters. The Red Cross says many people stayed at the 13 shelters set up around the state after the storm struck on Aug. 28, flooding homes, and destroying roads and bridges.

If you’re going to be in and around Essex Junction this afternoon and evening, Vermont State Police are warning you to be prepared for delays. The Phish Benefit for Flood Recovery concert is tonight at 7 at the Champlain Valley Fair Grounds. Attendance at the concert is estimated to be at least 10,000 people and therefore police anticipate a significant traffic impact, particularly during afternoon commuting hours. Police will have extra patrols helping to keep the traffic flowing.