Last week the Illinois General Assembly’s House Energy Committee passed, by a vote of 9 to 1, the Future Energy Jobs Bill -known as SB 2814. The bill covers a number of energy issues, including its provisions assigning a value to both Clinton and Quad Cities Nuclear Plants for the economic and environmental benefits they provide.

Exelon claims the bill will protect 4,200 jobs, preserve $1.2 billion in economic activity annually, double energy efficiency programs to create $4 billion in energy savings, accelerate the development of renewable energy, and provide $750 million of funding for low-income programs—all while preserving competitive rates and preventing cost increases that would come from plant closures.

Time is running out, In June Exelon announced that it would close Clinton on June 1st 2017 and Quad Cities one year later. If the If the legislation is not passed soon, the company intends to proceed with those plans.

Exelon is hosting a website to encourage public support for the Future Energy Jobs Bill. The site describes the legislation’s benefits in detail and residents are asked to sign a letter encouraging their legislators to vote for the bill.