The nuclear energy industry can play an important role in any program to stimulate creation of new jobs and economic expansion, providing both near-term and lasting employment and economic benefits.

Nuclear energy is one of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy – expanding rather than contracting. This reflects a consensus that:

1. any credible program to address climate change must include carbon-free technologies such as nuclear energy and renewable energy sources, and 
2. the United States needs new baseload generating capacity.

For these reasons, financing support for new nuclear power plant construction should be included in any legislative package to provide stimulus for energy infrastructure development and job creation.

Job Creation Already Underway in the Nuclear Energy Sector

The U.S. electric power industry is developing the first new nuclear projects in the United States since the late 1970s. These new reactor projects are in the early stages of development and start of construction is still three to five years away. Even so, the prospect of new nuclear plant construction already has stimulated significant investment and job creation among companies that supply equipment and services to the nuclear industry.

• At the end of 2008, NEI estimates that private investment in new nuclear power plants has created an estimated 14,000-15,000 jobs. Over the last several years, the nuclear industry has invested over $4 billion in new nuclear plant development, and plans to invest approximately $8 billion in the next several years to be in a position to start construction in 2011-2012.

• This near-term job creation is the leading edge of a larger surge in the medium- to long-term (2011 and beyond). With sufficient investment stimulus and financing support, job creation will continue to expand over the next five years and beyond. The number of new jobs will expand dramatically after 2011 when the first wave of these new nuclear projects starts construction.

Absent investment stimulus, the current pace of job creation will slow and the prospect of tens of thousands of new U.S. jobs could recede into the distant future or disappear completely.

These jobs represent a range of opportunities – from skilled craft employment in component manufacturing and plant construction, to engineering and operation of new facilities.

Click here to read the complete White Paper, "New Nuclear Plants: An Engine for Job Creation, Economic Growth."