Exelon Nuclear Plants Boost Pennsylvania Economy By $229 Million Annually

A new study shows that Exelon Nuclear’s three generating plants in Pennsylvania increased the state’s economic output by more than $229 million in 2004. This figure does not include the value of the electricity the plants produce.

With the value of the power included - the method used by most economic impact studies - Exelon Nuclear’s positive impact to the state’s economy increased to $2.6 billion in 2004.

The study was conducted by the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, using a model developed by the federal government.

It analyzed employment and production data from Exelon and economic data from Limerick Generating Station in Montgomery County, Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station in York County and Three Mile Island Unit 1 in Dauphin County, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the federal government.

“We have long known that our nuclear plants generate electricity safely, reliably and at a low cost and with no harmful emissions,” said Rich Lopriore, Exelon Nuclear Senior Vice President. “Exelon Nuclear is very proud that these plants are also powerful economic engines for their communities and the Commonwealth.”

The study’s 38-page report, Economic Benefits of the Exelon Pennsylvania Nuclear Fleet, contained the following major findings for 2004:

· Direct and indirect compensation from the Exelon Nuclear plants resulted in $293.1 million in labor income in Pennsylvania in 2004;

· Exelon Nuclear spent $76.2 million in Pennsylvania on materials and supplies;

· The operation of Limerick, Peach Bottom and TMI and the secondary effects of those plants account for 4,003 jobs in Pennsylvania;

· The plants employ a total of 1,903 people (not including full time security and other contract personnel); and

· The Exelon Nuclear plants generate $5.9 million in state and local tax revenue each year. Adding the economic activity generated by the plants through increased business, corporate, payroll and personal taxes results in a total state and local tax impact of $19 million.

Key sectors of the local economy are also supported by the three plants’ large employment base. Spending by plant employees boosts the sales and work forces of these industries, typically operated by local, small-business owners.

Besides the economic benefits the plants contribute to local communities and Pennsylvania in the form of jobs, income and taxes, the plants also contribute to their local communities in other ways.

Each year, Exelon Nuclear’s Pennsylvania plants and their employees donate more than $280,000 to local charities, including $170,000 to area United Way organizations and more than $60,000 to community groups. Employees give over 1,000 pints of blood to the American Red Cross annually and provide extensive professional training for community fire, emergency and ambulance service personnel. They also volunteer several thousands of hours to community organizations.

Together, Limerick, Peach Bottom and TMI generated about 45.4 million megawatt-hours of electricity in 2004. This low-cost electricity helped keep energy prices affordable in Pennsylvania. In 2004, the average production cost for the three plants was 1.15 cents per kilowatt-hour, compared with an average production cost of 2.37 cents per kilowatt-hour for the rest of Pennsylvania.

The research report is intended to provide citizens with a better understanding of the positive economic impact Exelon Nuclear’s Pennsylvania plants and their employees have in Montgomery, York and Dauphin counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States.

Copies of the report, Economic Benefits of the Exelon Pennsylvania Nuclear Fleet, are available online or by contacting Exelon Nuclear Communications at 610-765-5530.


12/29/2006

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page