Illinois Attorney General slams nuclear bailout legislation

Madigan says the measure (Senate Bill 1585) would allow Exelon and its subsidiary ComEd to rack up billions of dollars in spending and profit paid for by consumers.

“It’s outrageous that Exelon and ComEd are again requesting a bailout when they are both profitable companies,” Madigan stated.  “The legislature has more important matters to address than padding ComEd and Exelon’s profits.”

Exelon has argued it needs the legislation in order to keep operating the Clinton plant.  Lawmakers like Senator Chapin Rose, (R) Mahomet, and Representative Bill Mitchell, (R) Forsyth, have said hundreds of jobs are on the line in central Illinois should the plant be closed.  Schools say they will lose millions of dollars in property taxes.

Exelon has threatened to close the plant in 2017 if the legislation, which changes some regulations, is not passed by the legislature by the end of the legislative session this month.