In a new effort to counter losses at two of its Illinois nuclear plants, Exelon is proposing new legislation to offer incentives to those plants plus solar and wind energy producers.

Exelon is putting off a decision for a year on whether to close a nuclear plant in Clinton. The company has already delayed decisions about the future of reactors in Quad Cities and Byron. It still wants Illinois lawmakers to approve a monthly surcharge on electric bills to reward generators who produce carbon-free power.

A company spokesman said a 'capacity auction' in Clinton's territory did help reduce financial losses, but is still at risk of closing.  But a group opposed to a legislative solution believes an auction next spring should be enough to help the plant.

Exelon still has hopes for the legislation, once lawmakers are done dealing with the state budget. And whether or not it passes could have in impact on the price of electricity in Illinois, and the fate of its three nuclear plants in Clinton, Byron and Quad Cities, which are losing money.

Legislation to help Exelon with the Clinton nuclear power plant and two others it says are losing money, apparently will not be passed during the Illinois General Assembly's spring session. House Energy Committee Chair Linda Chapa LaVia says she wants to combine the legislation with two other energy-related bills, which would take more time.