McLean County Times

Veteran state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) is among a group of Republican lawmakers pushing to keep a pair of local nuclear plants in operation.

“We must keep our nuclear fleet open,” Rezin posted on Facebook. “Our state and its residents cannot afford to let these plants be decommissioned. According to modeling by Vibrant Clean Energy, LLC, who has done consulting for multiple state governments, the federal government, utilities and companies, 70 percent of Illinois customers will pay billions more to reach 100 percent carbon-free energy without reliable nuclear energy.”

Rezin recently joined fellow Republican lawmakers state Sen. Brian Stewart (Freeport), Deputy House Republican Leader Tom Demmer (Dixon) and House Republican Conference Chair Leader David Welter (Morris) in demanding that negotiators return to the table to hammer out a deal to keep the plants in Byron and Dresden open.

“If action is not taken soon, tens of thousands of workers will lose their livelihoods, millions of utility customers across Illinois will begin paying higher energy costs, and we will all suffer an immediate environmental impact equivalent to putting 4.4 million additional cars on the road, emitting carbon and other harmful sources of air pollution,” the group said in a statement. “Too much is at stake to wait for the demands of every individual interest group to be satisfied in a comprehensive energy package. We must act now to pass the provisions there is broad agreement on, which include preserving Illinois’ nuclear fleet and extending the state’s renewable portfolio standard with incentives for critical solar and wind initiatives.”

With both plants facing revenue shortfalls in the hundreds of millions, earlier this month owner Exelon Generation filed for decommission, one of the final steps in retiring the plant in Byron. Company officials further warned legislative inaction could mean a similar fate for plants in Braidwood and LaSalle over the next few years.

“With no signs of a breakthrough on clean energy legislation in Springfield, we have no choice but to take these final steps in preparation for shutting down the plants,” said Exelon Generation Chief Nuclear Officer Dave Rhoades.

Byron is scheduled to shut down in September and Dresden in November.