Decommissioning and jobs

One aspect of the decommissioning web is its effect on socioeconomics, particularly jobs. What will reactor retirement mean to jobs, especially in rural communities where power plant operations may be the most reliable and dominant source of direct and indirect employment in the area? The problems which any plant closure produces for job security are generally understood, but the decommissioning of nuclear power plants is different because of the residual radioactivity and because of the greater isolation of the power plant sites. For example, what will be the specific employment effects of several possible decommissioning scenarios such as immediate dismantlement and delayed dismantlement? The varying effects of decommissioning on jobs is discussed. It is concluded that the decommissioning of nuclear power plants in some areas such as Wales could bring benefits to the surrounding communities. (author)