According to TVA’s 2014 draft Integrated Resource Plan, the Shawnee Fossil Plant is listed within the group of power generators that is under evaluation for plant retirement.[i] Closure of the plant could impact social determinants of health including those associated with unemployment. For example, research has observed connections between the cumulative effects of unemployment and risk for heart attack, [ii] reduced physical activity,[iii] poor mental health,[iv] and alcoholism.[v]

The Shawnee Fossil Plant currently employs approximately 300 individuals. An assessment by Synapse Economics estimated that additional retrofits required for the plant might build in as many as 350 additional jobs.  The maximum potential job loss from retiring the plant would therefore be approximately 750 jobs (a figure that includes both actual and potential jobs) in 2018 and 2019 ($37.5 million in income) with a minimum job loss of 440 jobs in 2017 ($24.1 million in income).  

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[i] TVA 2015 Integrated Resource Plan. IRPWG Meeting Session (presentation) 2 December 5th, 2013.
[ii]Dupre ME, George LK, Liu G, Peterson ED. The cumulative effect of unemployment on risks for acute myocardial infarction. Arch Intern Med. 2012 Dec 10;172(22):1731-7.
[iii]Colman G, Dave D.Exercise, physical activity, and exertion over the business cycle. Soc Sci Med. 2013 Sep;93:11-20. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.05.032. Epub 2013 Jun 13.
[iv]Flint E, Bartley M, Shelton N, Sacker A.  Do labour market status transitions predict changes in psychological well-being? J Epidemiol Community Health. 2013 Sep;67(9):796-802. doi: 10.1136/jech-2013-202425. Epub 2013 Jun 28.
[v]Murphy RD, Zemore SE, Mulia N.Housing Instability and Alcohol Problems during the 2007-2009 US Recession: the Moderating Role of Perceived Family Support. J Urban Health. 2013 Jul 30.