Steven Peterson

Human health is significantly impacted by extreme weather-related events. Heat waves, floods, drought, and wildfires increase the risk of heat-related illness, respiratory illness, infectious diseases, mental health disorders, and even loss of life. Climate change will lead to more frequent and intense weather-related events in Idaho. This report examines the impacts of climate change on Idahoans' health and the economy and is organized into five sections: (1) an overview of climate change impacts on health and related economic models and measures; (2) climate impacts on health and wellbeing from air pollution, temperature, allergens, water, vector-borne diseases, and more, as well as economic impacts, when possible; (3) populations most vulnerable to climate-related health impacts and potential economic impacts; (4) opportunities to prepare for climate impacts on health; and (5) summary.

This economic analysis measures estimated impacts arising from the manufacturing and construction of the NuScale 12-pack Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) within the regional economy of eastern Idaho. Utilizing studies of the regional extent of employment, purchasing and other activities at the proposed Idaho National Laboratory (INL) site, this research estimates fiscal and economic impacts. Specifically, this study employs IMPLAN, the most widely used economic impact analysis model in the United States, to estimate the increased output (sales), gross regional product, employment, employee compensation and tax revenues resulting from the construction and operations of the proposed project. The impacts estimated here are provided at the eastern Idaho regional economy level, which consists of Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Bonneville, Butte, Caribou, Clark, Custer, Franklin, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, Oneida, Power and Teton counties.