Exeleon to close 2 nuclear plants, still seeks subsidies

SPRINGFIELD — Exelon Corp. said Thursday it will shut two Illinois nuclear power plants after the Legislature failed to approve a financial-support plan, but an email obtained by The Associated Press indicates the company is enlisting employees in an ongoing, full-steam lobbying effort. The Chicago-based power-provider announced it will close the downstate Clinton Power Station on June 1, 2017, and the Quad Cities Generating Station in Cordova on June 1, 2018. Exelon said it began the lengthy shutdown process because it can’t count on legislation that would extend state subsidies to nuclear generators producing reliable, carbon-free electricity that will help Illinois meet federal requirements.Exelon spokesman Paul Adams confirmed in a statement the closures are reversible but that would be possible “only in narrow circumstances.”