Meta, Constellation ink 20-year deal based around Clinton nuclear plant

CLINTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Meta and Constellation, an electricity and gas supplier, signed a 20-year deal for nuclear energy in Illinois. The deal is specifically centered around a nuclear plant based in Clinton.

The 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) is for the output of the Clinton Clean Energy Center to support Meta’s clean energy goals and operations in the region with 1,121 megawatts of emissions-free nuclear energy, officials said in a news release. Starting in June 2027, the agreement supports the relicensing and continued operations the nuclear facility in Clinton after the state’s ratepayer funded zero emission credit (ZEC) program expires.

Additionally, this deal will expand Clinton’s clean energy output by 30 megawatts through plant uprates:

• Preserve 1,100 high-paying local jobs
• Deliver $13.5 million in annual tax revenue
• Add $1 million in charitable giving to local nonprofits over five years

“Last year, Constellation’s announced plan to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center became national news, but despite all of the interest and overwhelming support, a key question was missed: why did we let such a valuable plant close in the first place?” said Joe Dominguez, president and CEO, Constellation. “We are proud to partner with Meta because they asked that important question, and even better, they figured out that supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as finding new sources of energy.”

The Clinton Clean Energy Center was slated for premature closure in 2017 after years of financial losses, despite being a top performing nuclear plant in Illinois. This closure was stopped by the enactment of the Future Energy Jobs Act, which established a Zero Emission Credit program that provides financial support for the plant through mid-2027.

Constellation’s (Nasdaq: CEG) agreement with Meta is a market-based solution aiming to replace the ZEC program and ensures long-term operations of the plant without ratepayer support. The PPA will enable the Clinton nuclear plant to continue to flow power onto the local grid.

On top of this, Meta is buying the plant’s clean energy attributes as part of its commitment to match 100% of its electricity use with clean and renewable energy.

“We are excited to partner with Constellation and the Clinton community to ensure the long-term operations of the nuclear plant, add new capacity, and help preserve over 1,000 jobs. Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta. “We are proud to help keep the Clinton plant operating for years to come and demonstrate that this plant is an important piece to strengthening American leadership in energy.”

The Clinton nuclear plant employs more than 530 people, contributes approximately $13.5 million in annual taxes and generates enough carbon-free electricity to power over 800,000 homes.

An analysis done by The Brattle Group found that shuttering Clinton would raise emissions by over 34 million metric tons of carbon over 20 years. This would be equal to putting approximately 7.4 million gasoline-powered cars on the road for a year. This same report found that Illinois’ GDP would drop by $765 million annually, impacting businesses and jobs across numerous industries.

This agreement with Meta allows Constellation to add more clean and reliable energy to the grid in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) zone four territory, covering Central and Southern Illinois. Under this deal, Clinton will add 30 megawatts of increased output from nuclear uprates.

Constellation is also evaluating strategies to extend the plant’s existing early site permit or seek a new construction permit from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to purse development of “an advanced nuclear reactor or small modular reactor (SMR)” at the nuclear plant site in Clinton.

The electricity and gas supplier company is also investing $1 million over five years beginning in 2026 to support workforce development, social services, education and local nonprofits in and around the Clinton area.

This specific announcement comes as public support for nuclear power continues to increase. A recent Gallup poll found that support for nuclear energy jumped to 61% of U.S. adults, up from 55% in 2023.

“Constellation’s Clinton nuclear plant has long been an important part of our local economy, supporting a vibrant community with great jobs, excellent schools and well-resourced fire and police departments,” said Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi. “While many other communities are losing jobs and tax revenues, Meta is investing in our future, preserving good-paying jobs, and driving economic development for decades to come.”