Nuclear energy and the Carolinas: a vision for 2020.

• Author: Fecteau, Mark

The nuclear energy industry has been serving our states for decades, safely, securely and reliably generating carbon-free electricity, jobs and a solid base for economic development for Carolinians.

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Most people know that seven plant sites with 12 reactors produce electricity in the Carolinas. What few people recognize is the tremendous positive economic impact this industry has within our communities. Our industry provides more than 37.000 direct and indirect jobs in the Carolinas and pays more than $2 billion in payroll, an economic value that makes its way to grocery stores, car dealers and other businesses. Our industry contributes more than $750 million in annual state and local taxes, money that sustains our local schools, police and fire departments and communities.

And these are just the numbers associated with the nuclear stations in operation, along with Savannah River and the Barnwell sites and their direct supply chains. We've not counted the additional economic impact of our industry's products and services that are exported beyond our states' borders.

But that's today. What about tomorrow? The vision of what our nuclear energy future can be is 20/20. Clear as can be.

I chair the Carolinas Nuclear Cluster, 44 organizations working together to grow this local industry. The Carolinas Nuclear Cluster is part of the South Carolina Council on Competitiveness, better known as New Carolina, a public-private partnership that spurs economic growth.

The "nuclear renaissance" offers tremendous potential for the Carolinas. We have four new plants already in the planning or commitment stage, and two more just across our borders. By 2020, those facilities will bolster a long-term competitive advantage for our states by securing a future of steady, economical baseload electricity.

New construction also brings good news for employment. In addition to our current nuclear workforce, employment at the peak of new construction in the Carolinas could add more than 50.000 workers. The operation of the reactors could provide more than 17,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs.

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The Carolinas Nuclear Cluster supports our carbonless, safe and reliable energy wherever the world needs us. We deliver power in the Carolinas. We also help other states and nations plan and operate facilities, and in the process, we bring back paychecks to the Carolinas.

We can't look ahead to 2020 alone, however. We are part...