Nuke plant jobs could be saved

Posted on November 22, 2016

*Proposed changes in Springfield could save jobs in Clinton at the nuclear power plant. (WJBC file photo)*

By Terry James

Clinton – A proposed change to energy policy could keep Exelon’s nuclear power plants in Clinton and the Quad-Cities open for another 10 years.

Exelon and Com Ed power have agreed to change in a rate restructuring proposal that would make the continued operation of the power plants possible under legislation that was approved in an Illinois House Committee last week.

There is also talk of including a guarantee in the legislation to prevent energy consumers from extreme rate increases. Lawmakers are on a break until November 29th. With their approval, the bill could save the jobs of more than one thousand employees.

Quad Cities and Clinton have lost a combined $800 million in the past seven years, despite being two of Exelon’s best-performing plants.

WJBC news has reached out for comment from Exelon.

Terry James can be reached at [email protected].

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