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December 18, 1996

Argonne National Laboratory has released a 130 page report (ANL/DIS-2, August 1996) entitled "Economic Impacts on the United States of Siting Decisions for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor." There is a separate 9 page Executive Summary (ANL/DIS-2-ES). Jim Peerenboom, ANL Decision and Information Sciences Division, is the principal author. Copies can be requested from him by fax: (630)252-6073 or email: jpeerenboom@anl.gov

The following is the abstract of the report:

"This report presents the results of a study that examines and compares the probable short-term economic impacts of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) on the United States (U.S.) if (1) ITER were to be sited in the U.S., or (2) ITER were to be sited in one of the other countries that, along with the U.S., is currently participating in the ITER program. Life-cycle costs associated with ITER construction, operation, and decommissioning are analyzed to assess their economic impact. A number of possible U.S. host and U.S. non-host technology and cost-sharing arrangements with the other ITER Parties are examined, although cost-sharing arrangements and the process by which the Parties will select a host country and an ITER site remain open issues. Both national and local/regional economic impacts, as measured by gross domestic product, regional output, employment, net exports, and income, are considered. These impacts represent a portion of the complex, interrelated set of economic considerations that characterize U.S. host and U.S. non-host participation in ITER. A number of other potentially important economic and noneconomic considerations are discussed qualitatively."

For more information, contact: Stephen O. Dean