Cheerful News for a Beautiful Evening: Japan, Larry Smith of Entergy, and EPR Video from Areva

News from Japan: Japan Restarts Two Reactors

According to USA Today, Japan will almost certainly start two reactors this weekend.  The mayor of the local town signed off on the plan.  Read about the restart of the two Ohi reactors here.

Brattleboro Reformer article about Larry Smith, Vermont Yankee spokesman

Josh Stilts of the Brattleboro Reformer has a thoughtful, wonderful article about Larry Smith, Vermont Yankee spokesman. Smith is retiring at the end of this week. The article describes Smith's hungry early days and his later work to set up Feed the Thousands in Brattleboro. It also describes the stresses of being spokesman for Vermont Yankee. Smith had a stress-related stroke in 2007. As Entergy spokesman, he has been called "Larry the Liar of Louisiana" (and worse).  Smith regains perspective through his charitable work: serving meals or working at Feed the Thousands

This is a terrific article. It's much more complete than my recent blog post about Larry named as Man of the Year by the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce. From this article, it is clear why Governor Shumlin said that Larry Smith has done more for those in need than anyone in this state.

Areva Advanced Reactor Video

Areva is building four EPRs around the world, in Finland, France and China.  I'm not glossing over the fact that the European builds are behind on budget and schedule. Still, these are the first Gen III's to be built.  Reactors with these types of safety feature will be part of the future of nuclear energy.

Areva just prepared a video about EPR safety features.  I think it is worth watching.

Entergy Spokesman Larry Smith Honored in Brattleboro

Larry Smith, Vermont Yankee spokesman, is retiring in a few days. We will miss him!

The good news is that Larry Smith was named Man of the Year by the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce.  Smith was honored for his 45 years of service to the Brattleboro area, first as a radio news anchor and later as the Entergy spokesman.  He was also honored for role as co-founder of Feed the Thousands, a Windham County  organization that provides meals for people in need.  He was honored in these words, quoted in the Brattleboro Reformer:

"[Larry Smith] also dedicated 45 years of his life to the people in this community who didn't have enough to eat or a place to sleep. He's done more for those in need than anyone in this state."

These words were spoken by Governor Shumlin.

Governor Shumlin didn't always say anything nice about Entergy people or charities associated with Entergy or Entergy staff.  It's not that long ago when Governor Shumlin  didn't mention Entergy's charitable donations after Hurricane Irene.  Shumlin claimed he'd made a mistake about the donations--a mere oversight, not a snub. (Some newspapers were calling it a snub of Entergy.)

However, a few days ago, Governor Shumlin DID acknowledge Larry Smith's contributions to the people of this state.   So I am willing to let bygones be bygones about his past statements.

Here's a link to a video: Larry talking about Vermont Yankee on a local TV station last summer.

Larry is going to enjoy his retirement, but he will be missed around here!