* AP…

Illinois could help prevent Exelon Corp. from closing nuclear plants by adopting policies that penalize competitors that emit carbon dioxide, including coal-fired power plants, according to a report released Wednesday by several state agencies.

House Speaker Michael Madigan last year directed the Commerce Commission and several other agencies to study ways to boost the financially struggling nuclear industry, after Exelon said it might have to close at least three of its six Illinois plants.

The report suggests the state could favor Exelon because its nuclear plants generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases […]

Exelon has told lawmakers it wants to be included in a “clean portfolio standard” under which nuclear, solar and wind power producers are rewarded for providing energy to the state. Otherwise, the company could push for a price on carbon that would make its nuclear plants more competitive.

The full report can be read by clicking here.

* Tribune…

Illinois governmental agencies Wednesday issued a report proposing ways to prop up Exelon’s ailing nuclear power plants, citing the economic and environmental impact that closing those plants could have on the state.

The agencies suggested programs and taxes that would punish electric generators that burn carbon-based fuels and produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. Exelon’s nuclear plants don’t emit greenhouse gases.

Regardless of whether Exelon’s plants continue to operate or are shuttered, Illinois ratepayers will see higher electricity bills, according to the report.

For instance, if the state legislature decides to tax carbon dioxide emissions to help Exelon, the move would drive up electricity prices 17 to 21 percent over 28 years, the report said.

Closing nuclear plants; however, would also cost “hundreds of millions of dollars or more” in upgrades to transmission lines needed to bring in new forms of power to the state, the report said.

* Nuclear Street…

Exelon is considering closing the Quad Cities, Byron and Clinton power stations due to unprofitably. The company has been lobbying the state to provide economic relief by recognizing the benefits of nuclear as a carbon-free source of electricity.

The report said that on balance closing the plants could benefit the state in terms of jobs. There would be 2,500 jobs lost if the plants closed, but 9,600 jobs could be gained by 2019 if the state invested in renewable power sources, the report said. Pointing to another balancing point, the report said $1.8 billion in economic activity would evaporate if the plants closed, but $120 million in energy efficiencies would be the result of an investment in renewables. […]

On the environmental front, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said there would be a price to pay for having the state rely more on fossil fuels. The immediate price tag for the environmental and health backlash between 2020 and 2030 could rise to $18.6 billion. Presumably, there would be long term expenses based on climate destabilization, as well.

* Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center…

“This report shows that Exelon’s nuclear plants that aren’t economically competitive can be retired without added costs to Illinois consumers, without hurting reliability, and with more job creation by growing clean renewable energy and energy efficiency.”

“This report confirms that the competitive power market is working to hold down Illinois energy costs. We shouldn’t bailout Exelon’s old, uncompetitive nuclear plants. Instead, we should invest in new renewable energy, like wind and solar, and energy efficiency to grow a cleaner Illinois energy future.”

* From David Kraft at the Nuclear Energy Information Service…

“Even though Exelon did their best to convince everyone that the sky is falling here in Illinois, even a poorly mandated, non-funded, public discounting and disenfranchising, abstract-model-heavy analysis could not reach that conclusion,” says Kraft.

“Given the guardedly incomplete conclusions of this Report, and the uncertainty about FERC awarding an additional $560 million in profits to Exelon, there is no legitimate reason for the Legislature to take immediate action on Exelon’s requests for a bailout, by any mechanism.”

According to Kraft, “The situation and the conclusions from this Report call for a number of things to happen first, before such consideration should even begin:

1. Exelon needs to open it books to the State and the public, on a plant by plant basis, to conclusively prove its need;

2. The Legislature FIRST needs to fix the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard to guarantee that EE/RE WILL be available to soften any economic or reliability damage the closure of the 5 money-losing reactors would cause, as the Report suggests numerous times it could;

3. No Legislative decision should be rendered prior to the FERC deciding on its potential $560 million award for Exelon. The Legislature should not set up an opportunity for a billion-dollar Exelon “double-dip.”

4. Alternatives to the Exelon proposals, and to Exelon as an energy provider, should be thoroughly investigated by the Legislature. Perhaps some of Exelon’s competitors would be willing to step up and fill some of the energy vacuum Exelon would create by closing the 5 reactors, and do so in a more economic, forward thinking manner — as the Report suggests should be done.

“The energy future of Illinois and its effects on the Illinois economy for decades to come are at stake with the Legislature’s decision,” Kraft warns. “Their job is to get it done RIGHT, not QUICK.”

* Meanwhile, the Tribune all but confirms widespread speculation that the General Assembly won’t send the Ameren/Comed bill to Gov. Quinn…

It’s a matter of timing. Quinn, who’s taken a tough line on some utility legislation, leaves office Monday when Rauner takes the oath as governor. But the new General Assembly isn’t sworn in until Wednesday. That leaves a brief window for Cullerton to send the bill to Rauner instead of Quinn. […]

“You probably ought to watch that,” Quinn told the Chicago Tribune in a recent interview. “They’re waiting for me to leave.” […]

Cullerton spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon said Quinn traditionally “hasn’t welcomed utility bills.” She confirmed the idea of waiting for Quinn to leave office is a “consideration.” […]

“The action came in the fall after Gov. Quinn’s loss in the election, leaving a very short amount of time for the legislature to respond if the lame-duck governor made changes or vetoed the legislation,” said Radogno spokeswoman Patty Schuh. “By holding it, it allows the incoming governor to take the necessary time to review the legislation and make his decision.”