POWER STRUGGLE is Robbie Leppzer’s feature-length documentary chronicling the heated political battle to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear reactor – lessons to be learned here at Pilgrim. Robbie is working on a similar film about Pilgrim. To watch a film trailer and for more information, visit: PowerStruggleMovie.com

To help launch a national grassroots film tour for POWER STRUGGLE, visit: https://fromtheheartproductions.givecorps.com/projects/16691-documentaries-power-struggle

About the film:

Filmed over five years, this feature-length documentary chronicles the heated political battle to close the Vermont Yankee nuclear plant. The film 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, a nuclear engineer, a Vermont Yankee spokesperson, and federal nuclear regulators. A timely, inspiring story of democracy in action; about whether citizens’ voices will be heard against big moneyed interests, and what people are doing locally right now 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.

“A genuine David vs. Goliath battle. A rich story of whether grassroots democracy, in the form of citizens and local government, can triumph over entrenched, powerful interests like the nuclear energy industry. Through a story with many twists and turns, Leppzer keeps the film’s focus on the individuals caught up in the drama.”
— Steve Pfarrer, DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE

POWER STRUGGLE is directed by Robbie Leppzer, an award-winning independent documentary filmmaker and radio producer based in Wendell, Massachusetts, who has directed over thirty documentaries over the past forty years. His critically acclaimed feature-length and short documentaries, as well as commissioned television news magazine segments, about contemporary social issues have been broadcast by CNN International, NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, HBO/Cinemax, PBS, CNN, Sundance Channel, HDNet, Link TV, Free Speech TV, National Public Radio, and Pacifica Radio.

Other past screenings:

Past screening events were co-sponsored by the Concerned Neighbors of Pilgrim, Pilgrim Coalition, Cape Downwinders, Jones River Watershed Association, Six Ponds Association, Wildlands Trust and the Plymouth Legislative Advisory Coalition.

Saturday, November 11, 2017 at the Chatham Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street in Chatham, MA. Post-screening discussion with director, Robbie Leppzer about the film and the situation at the Pilgrim nuclear reactor; with Diane Turco of Cape Downwinders, Deb Katz of Citizens Awareness Network, Maureen Burgess of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission, and Dr. Brian O’Malley, MD, delegate to the Barnstable County Assembly.

Sunday, November 19 2017 at the Spire Center for Performing Arts, 25 1/2 Court Street in Plymouth, MA. Film director Robbie Leppzer will speak at a post-screening discussion panel about the film, and current issues regarding the decommissioning of Vermont Yankee and the situation at the Pilgrim nuclear reactor; with Heather Lightner, Plymouth resident and member Nuclear Decommissioning Citizens Advisory Panel, Mary Lampert of Pilgrim Watch, Diane Turco of Cape Downwinders and Pine duBois of Jones River Watershed Association.

Sunday, October 23, 2016 at the Academy of Music, 274 Main Street in Northampton, MA. A “sneak preview” screening and tribute to Frances Crowe; a benefit fundraiser to complete an exhibition master and launce a national grassroots film tour.