The consequences of closure: The local cost of shutting down a nuclear power plant

"When on May 7, 2013, the Kewaunee nuclear power plant in rural Wisconsin was shut down, it took with it more than 600 full-time jobs and more than $70 million in lost wages, not including temporary employment from refueling and maintenance outages. Taking into account indirect business-to-business activity, the total economic impact of the closure of the single-unit pressurized water reactor was estimated to be more than $630 million to the surrounding three-county area.

"Similar stories have played out in communities such as Zion, Ill.; Brattleboro, Vt.; and Citrus County, Fla.; which hosted, respectively, the Zion, Vermont Yankee, and Crystal River-3 nuclear power plants. And still other communities are preparing for similar fates as plants including Indian Point in New York and Palisades in Michigan prepare for their upcoming permanent end of operations.

"The loss of a nuclear power plant is not just an energy story, it is also an economic story. Much can be said about the loss of safe, reliable, low-emission energy when a plant closes, but beyond that is the loss of jobs, businesses, and tax revenue. The economic impacts are particularly acute in more rural areas, where a power plant is typically the largest employer and contributes the largest percentage to the tax base."

Biden is realizing more government jobs aren't the answer. The answer is:

• Better-paying jobs
• Lower rates for electricity customers
• Lower CO2 emissions

Keeping nuclear plants open will help to achieve all of those goals.