The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has officially issued a new 20-year operating license to the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station, despite opposition from Vermont’s congressional delegation. The NRC voted on the license just before the Japanese nuclear crisis, but the commission delayed issuing the license until Monday. Last week, Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont criticized the NRC’s decision:

The idea that we would have a plant of the same design, which in 20 years will be 60 years old, I think is a frightening thought to many people in Vermont.

The final decision on the future of the Vermont Yankee power plant rests with the state legislature.