The
Nuclear Decommissioning Collaborative today released their foundational
report investigating the socioeconomic impacts of nuclear power plant
closures on surrounding host communities. Socioeconomic Impacts from
Nuclear Power Plant Closure and Decommissioning takes a unique look at
these impacts, the barriers to planning and mitigation, and offers
recommendations to nuclear closure communities
across the nation.
“These
communities continue to face real losses and ongoing hardship,” said
Jim Hamilton, Founder and Executive Director of the Nuclear
Decommissioning Collaborative. “While there is increased attention being
paid to the plight of these communities, economic development planning
remains a challenge and many struggle finding the capacity to begin
their recovery.”
A
typical nuclear power plant may operate in a relatively rural area and
contribute upward of $400M annually to the local and regional economics.
Upon closure, the socioeconomic ripple effects are swift, severe and
widespread with local public services (e.g., schools and emergency
responders) tending to suffer significant cutbacks.
Findings from the report include:
- Chronic
resource limitations continue to hinder community efforts to plan for,
and mitigate, socioeconomic impacts from closure.
- Plant
closure and decommissioning presents a steep learning curve with no
clear roles for community engagement, peer-to-peer dialogue and
community collaboration at a national level.
- The long-term presence of spent nuclear fuel hinders economic development and presents an enduring barrier to economic recovery.
- The
lack of a coordinated federal framework with limited focus on
socioeconomic impacts hinders assistance to host communities and
increases inefficiencies.
- Recovery planning in the event of closure is best undertaken while the nuclear power plant is still operational.
The full report is available on the Nuclear Decommissioning Collaborative’s website.
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