IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Building a small nuclear reactor in eastern Idaho would create or sustain nearly 13,000 local jobs, according to a new report.
The preliminary assessment by Idaho Department of Labor Regional Economist Christopher St Jeor considers the impact of a $2.8 billion small modular nuclear reactor proposed for the U.S. Department of Energy’s desert site near Idaho Falls.
The plant would be designed by NuScale Power of Oregon, The Post Register reported. 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 report said.
The reactor isn’t expected to be operational until 2024 at the earliest.
The report said it would support about 360 jobs at that point and create or sustain another 1,147 local positions.
