Springfield (WREX) — The future of the Byron Nuclear Plant remains unclear after lawmakers fail to reach a decision by the May 31st legislative deadline.
Exelon announced it planned to close the plant last year due to a drop in revenue and energy costs. Since then, lawmakers and Exelon have worked to strike a deal to keep it open.
Lawmakers say there is still hope for the measure to pass but the current holdup is over issues with the proposed closure of the Prairie State Coal Plant by 2035.
The plant is co-owned by a number of municipalities, including Rochelle. Rochelle would be paying off its bonds for Prairie State through 2041, while also paying for a source of energy to make up for the loss of the coal plant.