The Nuclear Renaissance will become an integral part of our economy as it continues to create new jobs in America in 2009 and beyond. Construction of a nuclear plant requires a significant workforce, particularly during the development and construction phases of the plant. These jobs span across multiple skill sets including construction, manufacturing, operations and engineering. Continued nuclear development will result in the unique combination of impressive near-term, medium-term and long-term job creation and economic growth.

Even at this early stage, the Nuclear Energy Institute estimates that the nuclear industry has already invested $4 billion in new plant development, creating approximately 15,000 jobs. Power companies are hiring workers for site preparation activities. Companies in the nuclear supply chain are expanding or constructing manufacturing facilities and engineering centers across the United States . Nuclear Innovation North America (NINA) expects the number of employees dedicated to STP units 3 & 4 to increase by roughly 65% in 2009. With the appropriate investment stimulus, new nuclear development could lead to 10,000 new high-paying jobs nationwide in 2009 and $8 billion in investment over the next few years.

In addition to substantial near-term job creation, new nuclear power plants will stimulate surrounding economies through the creation of new jobs related to construction, operation and maintenance, increased tax revenue and hundreds of millions of direct and secondary spending. Each new nuclear plant will require significant capital investment during the construction phase and employ construction forces of up to 2,400. Once operational, a nuclear plant provides substantial long-term economic benefits during its decades of operation creating approximately 700 permanent jobs and an equivalent number of additional jobs in the local area to provide goods and services to the nuclear workforce.

Sources:
INEEL/Bechtel, U.S. Job Creation Due to Nuclear Power Resurgence in the United States (2004)
The Perryman Group, The Impact of NRG's Proposed Nuclear Generation
Facility on Business Activity in Texas and the Matagorda County Area (2006),
Nuclear Energy Institute
Job Creation in the Nuclear Renaissance. Clean and Safe Energy Coalition. June 2008.
Nuclear Energy Institute, New Nuclear Plants: An Engine for Job Creation, Economic Growth, January 2009