Exelon Stresses Critical Role of Illinois’ Nuclear Energy Facilities in Meeting Carbon Reduction Goals
September 23 2014 - 2:20PM
Business Wire
State’s six nuclear plants provide nearly half
its energy supply and 90 percent of its carbon-free electricity
To meet forthcoming carbon emissions reduction targets, Illinois
must preserve its existing nuclear energy facilities, Exelon Senior
Vice President of Federal Regulatory Affairs and Wholesale Market
Policy Kathleen Barrón said today at a policy session convened by
the Illinois Commerce Commission. The forum was held to solicit
expert perspectives on the Environmental Protection Agency’s
proposed rule for reducing carbon emissions from existing power
plants, also known as the Clean Power Plan.
“We are pleased that EPA has recognized the important
environmental, reliability and economic benefits of existing
nuclear power plants and is creating a regulatory incentive that
values the many benefits they provide to Illinois and the
businesses and families here,” Barrón said.
Economic pressures facing Illinois’ nuclear energy facilities
have put some of them at risk of early closure. Barrón said that
retiring the three Illinois nuclear plants at greatest risk would
set the state back substantially and jeopardize its ability to meet
emissions reduction targets.
“If the units at risk of closing today -- representing 43
percent of the state’s nuclear generation -- retire, they cannot be
mothballed and later brought back online,” she said. “Together they
represent more than 30 million metric tons of avoided carbon
emissions, given that they will need to be replaced with fossil
generation to provide the around-the-clock electricity needed to
serve customers in the state.”
Barrón emphasized that the benefits of existing nuclear energy
facilities in Illinois go beyond preventing carbon emissions to
include the reliable, “always-on” nature of the energy they
generate. The state’s six nuclear power plants generate 48 percent
of its electricity supply – enough to meet the needs of 7 million
Illinois residents.
“Our nuclear facilities nationally are available 24/7 to meet
customers’ needs,” she said. “While many plants struggle to run
during extreme heat or cold, when their power is needed most – as
we saw during the peak of this past January’s polar vortex -- ours
do not.”
Turning her attention to the state’s forthcoming implementation
plan for the EPA rule, Barrón called for a compliance program that
values the carbon-free attribute of nuclear, saying it would be
necessary to safeguarding Illinois’ continued access to reliable,
clean power.
“All zero-carbon resources should be treated similarly,” Barrón
said, “and a state like Illinois that has invested in nuclear
technology should be recognized for that clean energy
investment.”
About Exelon Corporation
Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC) is the nation’s leading
competitive energy provider, with 2013 revenues of approximately
$24.9 billion. Headquartered in Chicago, Exelon does business in 48
states, the District of Columbia and Canada. Exelon is one of the
largest competitive U.S. power generators, with more than 35,000
megawatts of owned capacity comprising one of the nation’s cleanest
and lowest-cost power generation fleets. The company’s
Constellation business unit provides energy products and services
to approximately 100,000 business and public sector customers and
approximately 1 million residential customers. Exelon’s utilities
deliver electricity and natural gas to more than 7.8 million
customers in central Maryland (BGE), northern Illinois (ComEd) and
southeastern Pennsylvania (PECO). Follow Exelon on Twitter
@Exelon.
Exelon CorporationPaul ElsbergCorporate
Communications312-394-7417paul.elsberg@exeloncorp.com
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