Maine voters swarm polls on A-plant closure issue

There was a heavy voter turnout Tuesday in the nation's first statewide nuclear referendum aimed at shutting down a nuclear power plant. The proposal before Maine voters called for immediate shutdown of the Maine Yankee nuclear plant at Wiscasset, which began operation in 1972 and supplies one-third of the state's power. Pro-and anti-nuclear advocates have poured more than $1 million into their advertising campaigns on the referendum question, making it the most expensive campaign in state history. Two statewide polls last week showed pro-nuclear forces with a very large lead.