| Abstract: |
The regional economic impacts of the U.S. Department of Energy's
accelerated environmental
cleanup plan are estimated for the major nuclear weapons sites in Colorado, Idaho,
New Mexico, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Washington. The analysis shows that the
impact falls heavily on the three relatively rural reasons around the Savannah River
(SC), Hanford (WA), and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (ID)
sites. A less aggressive phase-down of environmental management funds and
separate funds to invest in education and infrastructure in the regions
slightly buffer the impacts on jobs. personal income, and gross regional product.
Policy options open to the federal, state, and local goverments are discussed. |