In Illinois, major energy legislation could cost taxpayers $1 billion in subsidies over five years to prop up two Exelon nuclear power plants as the price of modernizing the state’s energy rules.
The legislative package, in addition to supporting Exelon’s nuclear facilities, could revise how rates are structured for utility ratepayers. That in turn would boost the state’s solar-energy infrastructure and ensure minority groups’ participation in the expansion of the state’s renewable-energy portfolio.
Environmental groups insist any deal fully decarbonize the state’s power sector, but they’re willing to allow this to happen over time. Negotiators are considering requiring all coal-fired power plants in the state to close as early as 2032, but it could end up being 2035 or even later.
While the legislative session concluded for the year, a special session could bring lawmakers back to Springfield as early as this month to pass the legislation. Read an excerpt below or the whole story here.
Labor organizations have resisted the change and have fought to save existing jobs at the Exelon facilities and secure prevailing-wage and other workplace mandates at any state-supported renewable-energy facility.