Somewhat unexpectedly, communities that host nuclear power plants have witnessed a renewed interest over the past year. The Biden Administration has made it a priority to support new nuclear technologies and the extension of existing plants’ operational licenses in order to meet the energy demand. For communities, this revitalization is a major benefit, allowing what is likely their largest local employer to remain operational and contribute to the local tax base, workforce development, and other vital community functions.

But for communities where their local plant is decommissioning or closed, a major energy transition and economic shock occurs, forcing once-highly-paid residents to leave in search of work, taking their families and tax dollars with them.