By Molly Parker
mparker@scbiznews.com
Published Oct. 27, 2009

The anticipated second coming for nuclear energy is likely to contribute thousands of new jobs to the Carolinas and make this region a centerfold for the industry, a new economic impact study suggests.

“We are developing a strategic plan to make the Carolinas the center of the universe for nuclear energy and nuclear technology for the world,” said Mark Fecteau, chair of the New Carolina’s nuclear cluster and managing director of strategic programs with Westinghouse.

The Clemson University study says that the nuclear industry in the two states — that includes seven nuclear power plants and the federal government’s Savannah River National Laboratory — already directly accounts for more than 37,000 jobs, and thousands more spinoff jobs at related companies, industries and institutions.

The report is to be unveiled today at an energy summit hosted by the Columbia Regional Business Report in the capital city.

Looking past historical mistakes, the nuclear industry says it is primed for a comeback, promising a cleaner solution to the pollutant-belching, coal-fired plants that have been dethroned over environmental concerns.

Industry insiders call it the “nuclear revolution” and this latest Clemson study suggests the Carolinas might set the stage for a comeback — at least its backers certainly hope that is the case.

“That’s a bold goal, but we think we have all the players in place to build such a vision,” Fecteau said.

The report was commissioned by the Carolinas Nuclear Cluster, formed in 2007, which operates under the umbrella of the S.C. Council on Competitiveness, commonly referred to as New Carolina. It was funded by a grant from AdvanceSC, which was created by N.C.-based Duke Energy, to bolster economic development in North Carolina and South Carolina.

Already, nuclear power makes up the majority of South Carolina’s energy portfolio at 51.4%. In North Carolina, the nuclear share of the portfolio is 30.8%.

“I think it’s quite feasible to talk about this industry growing to twice its current size,” said Mark Henry, a lead researcher on the study, and co-coordinator of Clemson’s Regional Economic Development Research Laboratory.

Among the study’s highlights:

· In North Carolina and South Carolina, the nuclear industry fuels 18,808 direct jobs at nuclear plant facilities and 37,330 jobs when other nuclear-related companies and support institutions are factored into the mix. Examples of businesses in the nuclear supply chain are industrial supply firms, valve manufacturers, motor and pump makers, design firms, maintenance companies and services such as security and laboratories.

· In South Carolina, the breakdown is 14,986 direct jobs and 28,074 total jobs. In North Carolina, there are 3,822 jobs at nuclear plants, and 9,256 total nuclear-related jobs.

· Not only are there a lot of jobs, but this is a well-paying profession, the study says. The majority of employees earned between $75,001 and $100,000 on average. The next most common group in this industry earn between $100,001 and $150,000 a year.

· Between the two states, the study says, the nuclear industry accounts for more than $1.6 billion in direct labor income and about $2.3 billion when all related businesses are counted. By state, the breakdown of total income contribution is $1.8 billion in South Carolina and about $500 million in North Carolina.

· The nuclear industry also is pumping a healthy amount of state and local tax dollars into the coffers. The study estimates that the industry contributes about $314 million in North Carolina and about $437 million in South Carolina for a combined $751 million a year.

Reach more about this study in the Nov. 9 issue of the Charleston Regional Business Journal.