IFGuy,
You always thought Idaho Falls would get this project, didn't you?
Local news reports had far more detail about Areva's planned facility west of Idaho Falls. Now, the company says it will employ about 300 people in the technical work once the facility is built. That is an increase of 50-100 jobs, depending on which previous sources/sources you believe.
From construction workers to those doing the technical jobs, an anticipated additional almost 1,500 jobs to Bonneville County over 10 years. The average technical worker at Areva, when constructed, will make $65 K. Given that some involved with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies believe the need is already outgrown the building not yet finished, and given that GNEP and other improvements projects may seem to be a better fit at INL now, who knows what other companies will be making announcements about moving into the Idaho Falls area. Then there is the expanded subject of INL remaining the lead lab for the next generation of reactor to be built. The possibilities seem extensive to me.
Additionally, as Lea County, NM has shown, local and regional businesses have expanded to become the suppliers for certain needs a plant like Areva creates. Why bring those goods in from out of state, if Idaho businesses can be built or expand to meet the demand?
Since Areva scouted the U.S. in depth enough to find 5 potential sites to locate this facility, and selected Idaho Falls, what other companies will now look at Idaho Falls as the location for similar work or closely related "spin offs", let alone support services and regular suppliers of Areva's daily needs to operate? Literally, the project is at "the drawing board," both in design and MUST pass the NRC's criteria to be built. However, with Areva having another U.S. plant, I'm confident they the French energy company knows what is required. Construction, as I understand it, won't start for about 2-3 years.
The construction workers may be a positive for eastern ID to attract more businesses such as Areva. The links to articles in previous posts addressed why the commitments of local construction workers, in some potential locations, essentially made it impossible for Areva to plan on that skilled construction force to have their facility built by 2014. Smart planning can avoid a similar situation in Idaho Falls and other potential companies wanting to relocate or expand to Idaho Falls.
This will be the third facility in the U.S. to work with U.S.-enriched uranium for power purposes. This will decrease or eliminate the need to import uranium from Russia and other European countries to the U.S., for power in the U.S. How can Areva locating in Idaho do anything but benefit the region and state?
Areva is already designing how to ADD water to the Snake River Aquifer. Additionally, electricity required by the plant would be supplied by the grid of on line power at the plant.
Building of the Louisiana Power uranium enrichment plant in NM also increases the demand on academics. Will Idaho be any different? I doubt so. So which institution will step up to the plate and provide this part of "growth?"
Will ISU, BSU or the U of I finally start to build additional classrooms and labs at University Place, or secure other available buildings/land in Idaho Falls to train students, so the I.F. campus can finally offer many more general and specialized classes leading to several different degrees than are currently available? Or, will EITC finally become a 2 year Jr. College or more?
EITC and possibilities -look no further away than at Utah Valley State College in Orem, UT, which recently was approved to change their name to Utah Valley State University. How did that institution, which was a small Jr. College now become a university with over 24K students? Here's the link:
www.uvsc.edu. I see no reason EITC might follow a similar pattern, unless an Idaho university steps up to the plate first and commits to building a much stronger, broader branch of that university in Idaho Falls.
Will continued collaboration with the local universities in Idaho as well as MSU, WSU and USU, let alone the 4-5 research teams selected throughout the country who bring their work to INL annually create the demand for a much larger 4 year university in Idaho Falls, granting degrees in many majors? I think the answer is yes. Academics are strengthened by an investment like this. Maybe a better question is how can the companies who follow Areva and have increased demand for other services locally avoid expanding local university education in Idaho Falls?
ISU, U of I and BSU all have faculty teaching in Idaho Falls. Any of these universities could increase their commitment to different majors and classes being totally taught in Idaho Falls. Why shouldn't potential educators for grades K-12 be educated in Idaho Falls, given the demand throughout the state? Could ISU be hesitant on growing a larger Idaho Falls campus, as a larger enrollment may eventually occur in Idaho Falls than Pocatello?
Dozens of branches of existing university systems, in other states (CA, TX, AL, MO, IL etc.), have shown how building larger campuses where there is the need and potentially having what once was a satellite campus become larger than the original campus benefits residents and the state in general. Why can't Idaho learn from these other states?
I do find it comical that now Gov. Otter is speaking as if CAES was HIS original idea and he demanded that the center be built. Looking back just months ago, he refused to fund CAES this next year
, until heavy lobbying and work of certain legislators convinced him otherwise.
Oh well, at least he backs CAES now.
While I can't be sure about this, if patterns in ID tend to follow patterns from CA, UT, NV, AZ and other states, if NO Idaho university steps up to the plate to expand university education in Idaho Falls, I won't be surprised for an outside private university to move in and meet the needs of Idaho Falls area students.
It seems to me the decision to have more competition for students, should a private university enter the educational picture, would only hurt Idaho universities. Consequently, I believe major additions of classes and majors need to be added ASAP to the Idaho Falls campus of whichever Idaho University wants to have a branch with many students. More classes are needed immediately in Idaho Falls.
What do YOU think?
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More Areva Details, What About the Increased Academic Needs?
Areva, Perhaps Only Part of More; Private University Needed
Hmmmmm SRL-
River Landing Discovery Center
More jobs !!!
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