ComEd, Exelon, environmental groups, and consumer advocates have made a deal to improve energy policy in Illinois. Wednesday morning, officials from the utilities and organizations held a conference call to explain the new agreement.
Joe Dominguez from Exelon Generation says the bill now being considered in the veto session offers hope to nuclear plant workers in Cordova and Clinton. "If we don't pass a bill, we'll be digging ourselves out of a zero emission hole by letting these plants retire."
Negotiations have been going on for more than a year with Exelon, the Sierra Club, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Defense Fund, Faith in Place, and the Citizens Utility Board, known as CUB.
Executive Director, David Kolata, says CUB wants to make sure the bill will hold costs down for years. "Conservatively, we estimate $4 billion in savings based on today's prices. While there are a few areas to work on, we see a path to a bill that's good for consumers and the environment."
In June, Exelon announced it will close the Quad Cities and Clinton nuclear generating stations because they're losing money. 800 people work at the plant in Cordova, and 700 work at the one in Clinton. The two plants indirectly support another 1,200 jobs and have a $1.4-billion impact on the Illinois economy.
