Good Day for Planet Earth: Hummer Gets Canned and Vermont Votes to Close Nuke Plant

Well, now who are we going to kick around after this piece of news from the New York Times?

Hummer, the brand of big sport-utility vehicles that became synonymous with the term “gas guzzler,” is being shut down after a deal to sell it to a Chinese manufacturer fell apart, General Motors said Wednesday.

I guess there are always those F-150 or 250 behemoth pick-ups, but really, Hummer drivers were the funnest to taunt for the pure absurdity their vehicles.

According to the Times, John Smith, G.M.’s vice president of corporate planning and alliances stated: “G.M. will now work closely with Hummer employees, dealers and suppliers to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner.”

Can we check this one off as a win? It’s certainly good to see big trucks being phased out. If only Toyota could stop making death-trap hybrids, we may make some headway on promoting fuel-efficient vehicles.

On a different note, Vermont is saying no to nuclear power in the state. The NY Times reports:

In an unusual state foray into nuclear regulation, the Vermont Senate voted 26 to 4 Wednesday to block a license extension for the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant, citing radioactive leaks, misstatements in testimony by plant officials and other problems.

Vermont Public Interest Research Group reacted to the decision, with a statement from Executive Director Paul Burns:

With this vote today, Vermont has effectively turned the page from the dirty, dangerous and expensive energy sources of the past toward a truely clean energy future. The Senate reminded us that leadership means standing up for what’s right.  We encourage their colleagues in the House to stand with them, and with us.

We have two years to prepare for the post-Yankee era.  The Senate has made a responsible decision that points us in the right direction.  It’s time to seize this opportunity.  That includes a new energy policy aimed at making the most of renewable, home-grown sources and stepped-up efficiency measures.  That includes an economic policy that takes on the challenges placed on those workers who may lose their jobs and creates solutions.  And it includes working with the Town of Vernon as its local economy goes through this transition.

Of course this good news comes a week after Obama pledged over $8 billion for new nuclear power in Georgia. Harvey Wasserman breaks down the dirty details on this one here.