
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. (AP) - Hundreds of protesters are marching in Brattleboro against the continued operation of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant.
Thursday marks the first day of the plant's operation after its initial 40-year operating license expired the day before.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued the plant a 20-year license extension, but the state of Vermont wants the plant to close.
About 500 protesters planned to march to the plant's Brattleboro headquarters. A number of protesters are expected to trespass on Vermont Yankee property and be arrested on Thursday.
The plant itself is in Vernon.
In a statement, Vermont Yankee said the company respects the rights of opponents to peacefully protest. But it says the company's employees will not be distracted from their jobs.
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