Future Energy Jobs bill moves forward in Illinois

Exelon Generation and ComEd announced significant progress in achieving a streamlined version of the Future Energy Jobs Bill, which was passed earlier this month at an Illinois House Energy Committee hearing.

The bill supports boosting the Illinois economy, preserving 4,200 jobs at Exelon’s Clinton and Quad Cities nuclear plants, while creating thousands of new clean energy jobs. The proposed changes also maintain an important provision to support low-income programs while advancing renewable energy development and expanding current energy efficiency programs.

“We have been working for more than a year and a half on this legislation with stakeholders representing government, environment, consumers, communities and businesses,” said Fidel Marquez, senior vice president of government and external affairs at ComEd. “We’re encouraged by the progress we have made toward achieving a clean, reliable and affordable energy future for our customers.”

Proposed changes in the legislation include ensuring the Zero Emissions Standards proposal will preserve Exelon’s Illinois nuclear plants for at least 10 more years while providing greater protections to consumers. The legislation also calls for eliminating both the Fixed Resource Adequacy Plan and the demand based rates provision.

Measures for reducing the number of proposed microgrids from five to three and expanding rebates for community, industrial and commercial solar installations are also proposed in the bill.

“The proposals emerging today will strengthen Illinois’ commitment to clean energy, deliver billions of dollars in savings from energy efficiency, provide needed support for low-income residents, retain $1.2 billion in economic activity associated with the Quad Cities and Clinton nuclear plants and create thousands of jobs to support our economy,” said Joe Dominguez, Exelon’s executive vice president of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs and Public Policy.