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* I told subscribers about this earlier today, but Hannah Meisel at WUIS takes a long and thorough look at the impasse…
With two more days until the scheduled adjournment of the General Assembly’s spring legislative session, negotiations on a high-stakes deal to steer Illinois away from carbon-causing energy sources — as well as a host of other goals from ending controversial formula ratemaking and forcing ethics reforms as a utility-involved corruption investigation looms large — have reached impasse, according to multiple sources engaged in bargaining.
As of Saturday night, parties remain far apart on the linchpin of the deal: how much the state should provide in subsidies for nuclear giant Exelon to prevent the company from the threatened closures of at least two, if not three, of Exelon’s six nuclear power generating stations that are not profitable. Those six locations serve the northern half of Illinois, which contains the majority of the state’s 12.8 million people.
Exelon’s ask from the state has varied, but those close to negotiations say the company has asked for a 10-year plan for subsidies with a credit in the first year that nearly amounts to what Pritzker’s office is offering in total. Exelon on Sunday declined to comment on the parameters of its subsidy ask.
Gov. JB Pritzker’s lead energy negotiator, Deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell, told Exelon the state’s final offer is $540M in subsidies for three plants over five years. Lawmakers have been briefed on that offer. There are currently no other negotiations scheduled, though that could change.
* Check this out…
But a coalition of labor unions, some of whom represent the more than 2,400 unionized workers at the plants is throwing down a final gauntlet in the waning days before lawmakers’ May 31st adjournment. On Saturday evening, that coalition organized under the Climate Jobs Illinois moniker sent Pritzker a letter after parties were informed negotiations over the nuclear subsidy were at impasse.
But a coalition of labor unions, some of whom represent the more than 2,400 unionized workers at the plants is throwing down a final gauntlet in the waning days before lawmakers’ May 31st adjournment. On Saturday evening, that coalition organized under the Climate Jobs Illinois moniker sent Pritzker a letter after parties were informed negotiations over the nuclear subsidy were at impasse. […]
“The governor’s not the problem,” [Rep. Marcus Evans (D-Chicago)] said. “The problem is Exelon. Exelon is used to getting everything they want. And we want them to get what they need.”
Evans is an Assistant House Majority Leader and began the talks on organized labor’s side, so that’s quite significant.
posted by Rich Miller
Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 12:03 pm
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Thousands of good jobs and the progress of the entire state is being held up for one corrupt, dishonest and greedy public company. But in the end, the ball is in the court of the ILGA. They can move this bill which has been negotiated for months and call Exelon’s bluff. Do it now.
Comment by It’s time Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 12:19 pm
Labor needs to give a bit.
The GA and governor have done very well by labor as a whole the last 2+ years. Labor will continue to benefit in many ways, as we saw with the data center bill.
Giving in to Exelon’s extortion will create major political problems for Democrats in an election year that may also feature Exelon/ComEd criminal trials.
And, for the most part, the jobs they are saving are the jobs of people that aren’t voting for Democrats. They’re Trumpers voting for their guns.
Comment by Moe Berg Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 12:36 pm
interesting that many lobbyists for com ed and exelon also lobby for the unions… kind of a cabal…
Comment by yuck Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 12:48 pm
How about a repeat of ‘08? Pencil in a number for COMED rebate — start with unpaid fine $200 million. In the earlier deal someone got thhem topay $1 billion.
Comment by Annonin' Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 2:43 pm
The plants are well beyond their expected life. Close them before they blow-up and leave a mess. Why subsidize these old junker plants which despite being paid-off, are unable to compete with natural gas and wind?
Comment by Al Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 2:57 pm
https://youtu.be/FuNJq_wI1ns
Comment by low level Sunday, May 30, 21 @ 3:14 pm