* Sun-Times…

Two coal-fired power plants in the Chicago area, both major sources of air pollution, will be closed by their owner in June of next year.

Citing economic pressures and the company’s transition from coal, NRG announced the planned retirements of the plant in Waukegan and another in Romeoville in 2022. Together, the two sites employ 111 workers.

* NRG…

Today NRG announced during our Investor Day meeting the intention to retire several plants following the recent PJM capacity auction results. Closing these plants was a difficult, but necessary decision in light of the low market prices. The directly affected plants in Illinois are Will County and Waukegan. Both sites have an anticipated June, 2022 retirement date. We understand the impact this decision will have on our employees and the local communities. Employees will have the opportunity to apply for open positions within NRG. NRG will also provide transition assistance and severance in accordance with NRG policies and will engage in Effects Bargaining with IBEW Local 15 for the employees they represent at the impacted sites.

* Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition…

“All eyes are on NRG and state leaders to ensure that communities are included in planning the transition of these plants and the polluted sites they sit on. The closing of the last Chicago-area coal plants also points to the urgent need to pass comprehensive clean energy legislation that includes provisions for a just transition.

“Like the Clean Energy Jobs Act, the Governor’s current proposal helps communities with transition grants and support for displaced workers when they see coal-fired electric coal plants cut and run.

“It also creates and expands workforce training and access to seed capital and contractor equity to create jobs and wealth in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and environmental justice communities like Waukegan, which bear the greatest cost of pollution but often share few benefits from clean energy technology.

“Today’s announcements from NRG show that the Governor’s plan to move Illinois beyond coal is actually right in line with market economics, and efforts to extend the life of municipal coal plants like Prairie State and CWLP are very out of touch with communities and energy sector trends. Having responsible and certain timelines to transition beyond fossil fuels couldn’t be more important, so that we can replace aging coal with renewable energy like wind and solar, and not new sources of pollution like gas.”

* Back to the Sun-Times…

The Waukegan plant has been the target of local protests for years because of its proximity to tens of thousands of residents along the lakefront. Residents are concerned about the air pollution as well as ponds of coal-ash waste. The plant employs 65 people, the company said.