Nov. 3--BRATTLEBORO -- Nov. 1 has come and gone and Central Vermont Public Service and Green Mountain Power still don't have a power purchase agreement with Entergy, which owns and operates Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in Vernon.

In July, Senate President Pro Tem Peter Shumlin, D-Windham, and House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morristown, informed Entergy that it would be near impossible for the Vermont Legislature to vote on whether Yankee should be allowed to continue operation past 2012 unless a power purchase agreement, guaranteeing Vermont a cut rate on electricity from the power plant, was reached.

Entergy has applied to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the operating license of Yankee for another 20 years, from 2012 to 2032. In addition to NRC approval, Entergy must also receive a certificate of public good from the Public Service Board and the OK from the Vermont Legislature.

Without a deal, said Smith, "It will be extremely difficult for the Legislature to consider the question of continued operation this year."

Even though the power purchase agreement is just one of the factors the Legislature needs to consider, he said, "It is a critical one. Without that issue being resolved it's difficult to move forward."

Though Smith said he can't predict what the outcome would be of a vote on continued operation, he said that conversations he has had with other legislators indicate without an agreement, "It is unlikely that

Entergy would be able to get a favorable vote."

Shumlin is out of the country and was not available to speak with the media.

Steve Costello, spokesman for CVPS, said negotiations are continuing but there is the possibility that an agreement won't be reached.

"We have not seen an offer that we believe would be acceptable to Vermont," he said. "We think there is significant value to Vermont in the jobs, taxes and economic contributions the plant makes to the state, but we also need an agreement that can be approved by the Legislature and regulators."

CVPS and GMP are not sitting on their hands waiting for a beneficial deal from Entergy, said Robert Dostis, customer relations and external affairs for GMP.

"GMP has started the process of purchasing some replacement power for 2012," said Dostis.

Dostis said because energy prices are currently low, now is a good time to pursue other power options.

"At present we are looking at securing 25 megawatts of power starting in 2012," he said.