Nuclear Reactor Would Bring Jobs to Idaho Falls

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP) — A new report estimates that constructing a small nuclear reactor in eastern Idaho would create or sustain nearly 13,000 local jobs.

The Post Register reports that the Idaho Department of Labor's report considers a $2.8 billion small modular nuclear reactor proposed for the U.S. Department of Energy's desert site. Regional Economist Chris St Jeor prepared the preliminary assessment. The plant would be designed by NuScale Power of Oregon.

According to the report, it would create up to 1,000 construction jobs and create or sustain an additional 11,808 jobs in the Idaho Falls area through indirect economic activity. The reactor isn't expected to be operation until 2024 at the earliest. The report says it would support about 360 jobs at that point and create or sustain another 1,147 local positions.