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Exelon To Close Two Nuclear Power Plants in Illinois

Lisa Ryan/WUIS

Exelon is taking initial steps to close down two of its nuclear plants.

  Chicago-based Exelon makes a profit, but the plants in Clinton and the Quad Cities don't. They've been losing money.

The corporation has been pushing for a law that would have energy customers statewide pay a subsidy to keep the plants open. The request spurred talks for a massive overhaul of energy policy.

But after literally years of negotiations, no law passed by Exelon's self-imposed deadline of May 31. That's also when the regular legislative session ended.

"We're 95 percent there, so I'm asking them to just hold off for a little bit longer, see if we can get there, said Sen. Neil Anderson, R-Quad Cities.

He noted that without a budget, lawmakers will be in Springfield this summer. So there's still time, but Exelon isn't holding off.

In a press release, CEO Chris Crane said without legislation, he's forced to retire the one in Clinton next summer and the Quad Cities in 2018.

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.
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