Illinois communities respond to NOI on new nuclear facilities interest

Illinois has received nine responses to a notice of intent (NOI) expressing interest in hosting a new nuclear facility, according to submissions filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).

In February, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an executive order directing the commission to release two NOIs, one aimed at nuclear power plant developers and another for potential host communities. The second NOI requested information from Illinois communities interested in having a nuclear facility and gave them a deadline of May 25 to respond. Pritzker's executive order arrived about a month after he lifted the state's moratorium on new nuclear reactors being built in the state.

The interested communities: Cities, counties, and universities responded to the NOI, according to the list of submissions:

• City of Marseilles
• DeWitt County
• Grundy County
• Jasper County
• Ogle County
• Peoria County
• Rock Island County
• University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign
• Will County

Two utilities, Ameren Illinois and Commonwealth Edison, also submitted information to the ICC but did not identify any communities in their responses.

Six of the nine respondents already have operating nuclear power plants: Marseilles, DeWitt, Grundy, Ogle, Rock Island, and Will. The University of Illinois, meanwhile, once operated a TRIGA Mark II research reactor on campus before it was decommissioned. The university currently is working in partnership with Nano Nuclear Energy on a Kronos micro modular reactor (MMR).

The two other interested communities, Jasper and Peoria Counties, have never had a nuclear power-generating facility. However, Jasper has a coal power plant scheduled for retirement in 2027, and Peoria has a decommissioned coal plant within its boundaries. In both cases, the two counties have identified their coal plant sites as the potential sites for new nuclear facilities.

According to the submissions, Marseilles, DeWitt, Ogle, and Rock Island named parcels on or near their respective nuclear power plants as potential sites for new nuclear facilities. Grundy said the Dresden power plant site is in consideration, along with two other areas in the county. Will's submission said no specific sites have been identified but added that several sites are good fits, including on or near the Braidwood power plant grounds. The University of Illinois, meanwhile, has already selected a site on campus as part of the Kronos MMR construction permit application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Quotables: "At a time when the State of Illinois is seeking additional clean energy, firm generation to support reliability, affordability, and economic growth, the City of Marseilles offers a significant combination of existing infrastructure and strategic relevance that could make future nuclear development more practical than a completely new greenfield location," Marseilles Mayor Jim Hollenbeck said in the city's NOI submission.

In addition to the NOI submissions, the ICC received seven submissions from communities and organizations supporting those who had submitted their interest.

"The region offers decades of successful operating experience, reliable fuel supply networks, established waste management systems, and robust security measures," Morris Mayor Chris Brown wrote in support of the Grundy County submission. "In addition, Grundy County benefits from a highly skilled workforce that includes experienced nuclear industry professionals, a community that is familiar with and supportive of nuclear operations, and a strategic location approximately one hour from Chicago with convenient access to major highway, rail, and river transportation networks."

Poised for more: According to the ICC, additional rounds of comments might be required. The NOI manager has the authority to schedule additional rounds, and must provide adequate public notice.

Currently, Illinois produces the most nuclear power of any state, with a total of 11 reactors (seven boiling water reactors and four pressurized water reactors) across six sites that are all operated by Constellation.