Exelon defers decision to close Clinton plant for 1 year

CHICAGO (AP) - Exelon Corp. says it will wait a year to decide if it will close a nuclear plant in the central Illinois city of Clinton.

Exelon owns Illinois' 11 nuclear reactors. It made the decision Thursday. The company previously delayed similar decisions for a year about nuclear plants in the Quad Cities and Byron.

Exelon President and CEO Chris Crane says the company is encouraged by potential market reforms but the Clinton plant "remains unprofitable and more needs to be done."

Company officials say the deferral will give policymakers in Illinois time to consider legislation that Exelon says would "level the playing field" for carbon-free electricity.

Exelon wants lawmakers to approve a monthly surcharge on consumers' electricity bills to reward generators that produce carbon-free electricity.

Opponents have said Exelon doesn't need a bailout.