Sorrell criticizing Entergy's advertising

MONTPELIER, Vt. (Legal Newsline) - Another state attorney general is getting on power provider Entergy Corp.'s case, as Vermont's William Sorrell said the company's past claims of "zero emissions" are inaccurate.

Sorrell says all participants in the discussion of global warming need to be truthful with their claims, and that Entergy's advertisements in Vermont are not. Entergy has recognized the error, and said the wording in the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant ad was "unfortunate."

"Global warming is a critical issue," Sorrell said. "The public needs good information in order to make decisions about how best to address this environmental challenge."

Entergy has recently been the subject of an investigation by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood, who thinks the company may be overcharging consumers in his state.

Sorrell said greenhouse gas emissions are caused when uranium is mined, processed and transported. Emissions from nuclear generation of electricity are minimal.

"(W)hen you consider every aspect of nuclear energy that supports nuclear operations, it is still extremely low, but not zero," Entergy spokesman Rob Williams said.

"The ad wording was obviously unfortunate and we will strive to present clear, fact-based comparisons in future communications."

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien by e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.