Town shudders, anti-nuclear activists celebrate as Vermont Yankee plant shuts down

Reaction in the three-state region surrounding Vermont Yankee is mixed as the nuclear plant prepares to send its last electrons to the grid in the coming days.

In Vernon, where Vermont's lone nuclear reactor is located, many residents fear more damage to the local economy and to the tax base.

At the plant, employees are readying for retirement, unemployment or transfers to other nuclear plants owned by Vermont Yankee parent Entergy Corp.

Anti-nuclear groups in the region are getting ready to celebrate with a party Jan. 3 at the St. James Episcopal Church in Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Entergy says it is shutting Vermont Yankee for economic reasons. It's expected to disconnect from the grid Monday.