Power struggle

Democracy prevails when a nuclear engineer turned whistle-blower, a 93-year old grandmother, and a scrappy new governor join forces with a dedicated array of citizen activists to accomplish a rare grassroots environmental victory in closing an aging nuclear reactor in the United States.

Filmed over five years, 'Power struggle' chronicles the heated political battle to shut down the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant, located on the banks of the Connecticut River in southern Vermont.

'Power struggle' follows the unfolding drama as citizen activists and elected officials — alarmed at increasing safety violations — took on the federal government and one of the biggest nuclear power companies in America to call for closure of the reactor when its original 40-year license expires.

The film captures perspectives on all sides of the controversy, including from local residents both for and against nuclear power, elected officials (including US Senator Bernie Sanders and Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin), nuclear engineer Arnie Gundersen, a Vermont Yankee spokesperson, federal nuclear regulators, and the legendary activist Frances Crowe.

A timely, inspiring story of democracy in action; about whether citizens' voices will be heard against big moneyed interests, and what people are doing to make a difference for a sustainable energy future.

'Power struggle' is also a warning about the toxic legacy of high-level radioactive waste that will remain at every nuclear power plant around the world indefinitely into the future.

Due to copyright restrictions, this video can only be viewed on RT’s live feed. Time of broadcast is available on RT’s schedule page.