The economic impact of the potential closure of the Clinton Nuclear plant begins now, not in a year when the plant actually shuts down. Plant Spokesman Brett Nauman says the announcement also means the end of infrastructure improvements and outside work, which involves a significant workforce in the community.
"Contractors at a time? We usually have around a hundred or so. We'll probably be releasing most of our contractors next week because those long term capital projects will be terminated," said Nauman.
Nauman says those projects involve a variety of tasks.
"It's a lot of stuff. Working on equipment and stuff like that. You know, some of them end up being people who live in the community. We partner with a company Chicago Bridge and Iron, CB and I. They're local guys who work at the plant doing a number of things," said Nauman.
For instance, Nauman said contractors recently built a spent fuel storage pad for later this year when the plant moves to dry cask storage of spent nuclear fuel rods.
Exelon announced the plant closure because low natural gas prices made the plant unprofitable and the legislature has not acted on proposed legislation to subsidize the plant.
Exelon also employs 700 workers at the facility and those jobs would disappear next June unless the legislature acts before September to subsidize the operation threatened by low cost natural gas generated electricity.
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