Closure Of Quad Cities and Clinton Nuclear Stations ‘A Devastating Loss’, Says NEI

3 Jun (NucNet): The premature closure of the Quad Cities and Clinton nuclear power stations in the state of Illinois, announced yesterday by the operator Exelon Corporation, is a “devastating loss” for the US energy mix, Don Brandt, chairman of the Washington-based Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said in a statement. Exelon said yesterday that it is shutting down the two nuclear stations due to the “lack of progress” on Illinois energy legislation. According to Exelon, the two-unit Quad Cities and single-unit Clinton have incurred a combined loss of $800m (€717m) over the past seven years, despite being two of Exelon's best-performing plants. The Clinton station will close on 1 June 2017 and Quad Cities on 1 June 2018, Exelon said. Mr Brandt said the closures and the resulting loss of employment and tax revenue will have a “tremendous negative impact” on communities in the region. He said the US economy cannot continue growing and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions without nuclear power. Earlier this month, Exelon warned that many of its reactors, particularly those in Illinois, continue to be challenged by low electricity prices and competition from natural gas generation and subsidised renewables. Details are online: http://bit.ly/1P9zhs4