An estimated 4,600 other jobs in the region
The Nuclear Energy Institute’s study, which can be found online estimates Davis-Besse’s current value to the Ottawa County economy at $805 million a year, which contributes to a total of $1.1 billion statewide.
The plant provides 700 full-time jobs and supports an estimated 4,600 other jobs in the region, according to the study.
In related news, FirstEnergy plans on dropping big money in gas fields.
Richard Myers, NEI’s vice president for policy development, told reporters on a conference call this morning that FirstEnergy Corp. asked the trade group to update previous figures to help bolster the utility’s argument before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for a new, long-term rate structuring plan.
While that was the primary motivation, the NEI also wants Americans to understand the value of nuclear plants more in general as economic pressures from the fracking-led natural gas boom and the greater interest in renewable energy has made nuclear plants less affordable to some utilities.
Jim Lash, FirstEnergy vice president for generation, said the utility’s major investment in Davis-Besse, including about $600 million to install new steam generators recently, is indicative of its commitment to Ottawa County and that plant. But he agreed economic pressures are becoming greater nationally for the nuclear industry.
Davis-Besse is 30 miles east of Toledo, along the Lake Erie shoreline. It generates 6 percent of Ohio’s electricity. It is soon expected to have its operating license extended 20 years to 2037.