Rockford Sun

In an August press release, Exelon Generation announced the company's plans to retire the two Illinois nuclear plants Byron Generating Station and Dresden Generating Station in the fall of 2021. The combined loss will be of four nuclear energy units responsible for supplying clean energy to millions of Illinois homes, and thousands of jobs as both plants serve as important jobs-producers in their respective regions. 

Though the facilities are licensed to operate for another decade or more, the company cites economic concerns thrust upon them by state and local restrictions. They say that these policies make the operation of the plants unprofitable.

“Although we know in our heads that shutting down the uneconomic Illinois plants is necessary to preserve even more jobs elsewhere, our hearts ache today for the thousands of talented women and men that have served Illinois families for more than a generation and will lose their jobs because of poorly conceived energy policies. But we are only about a year away from shutdown and we need to give our people, the host communities and regulators time to prepare," said Christopher Crane, president and CEO of Exelon.

Exelon Generation Logo | Photo curtesy exeloncorp.com

However, the community is not letting the issue go quietly. The Byron plant generates more than 2,300 jobs, contributes millions to local taxes and provides clean energy to millions of homes. In an effort to save the Byron plant, community leaders, legislators and residents are coming together to form the Byron Station Response Committee. The goal is simple: Keep the plant open. The group has grown to more than 40 members since it began. 

A big issue for the committee is the school district funding for Byron, to which the plant provides more than $19 million each year in taxes. 

“The absolute is that we have a couple of years where we will receive taxes. After that, it’s up in the air. Will we get something? Yes, will get something. Do we know what that is? Nope, and there is no way to tell," said Byron School Board president Christine Lynde.

“We want whatever it's going to take to keep this open. If you look at the big picture of things, the market favors every generation source except nuclear and so I get why they are saying that there is a flawed market."

It appears that no concrete legislative steps have been taken toward the goal as of yet, but the committee is hoping to involve all elected officials and hopefully catch the attention of Gov. J.B. Pritzker. 

The Byron facility is slated to close in September 2021, with the Dresden location closing in November 2021.