In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, Exelon's CEO warned that continued subsidies for wind generation could affect power markets in ways that lead to the premature closure of nuclear plants.
Exelon's Christopher Crane emphasized that the largest operator of power reactors in the country had no immediate plans to shut down plants. But on Thursday he said he was worried about "an excessive amount" of new wind generation and subsidies that could result in the closure of reactors.
His remarks follow Exelon's ouster from the American Wind Energy Association after the utility opposed the extension of a wind-production tax credit. Crane said the tax credit often results in wind generation during times when there is not demand for power, forcing other energy producers like the Byron Nuclear Plant in Illinois to pay others to take its excess power.
In November, Crane noted that the Clinton plant would begin to refuel yearly to save money and become more competitive in the Illinois market where wind power has squeezed its margins. Exelon also deferred uprates at the LaSalle and Limerick plants and has put early closure on the table for Oyster Creek if unexpected expenses arise before 2019.