PEORIA COUNTY, Ill. – Peoria County has taken the first steps in the process to turn a former coal power plant into a different energy source.
Peoria County administration has submitted interest to the state about building a nuclear power plant. The proposed site would be the former E.D. Edwards coal power plant near Hollis, which was decommissioned in 2022 after the state passed climate legislation.
State agencies reached out to communities across the state after a moratorium on construction of new nuclear power plants was lifted earlier this year. County Administrator Scott Sorrell says the county wanted to put its hat in the ring.
“Just making sure that we don’t close the doors to opportunities to alternative energy in the community,” Sorrell said.
Sorrell says it’s still early in the process, and doesn’t have a timeframe on when the state will respond to Peoria County’s interest. He also notes that the county board has not had a formal discussion yet on the topic, and the only discussion was administration letting county leaders know of their intentions.
Vistra Corporation still owns the property, with Sorrell saying it will be up to them to decide if the former coal plant will be retrofitted, or a new building will be built.
Sorrell says there are a few benefits if the project occurs. One will be construction jobs and permanent jobs created. Another is the potential for lower energy costs for consumers, as well as lower homeowner property taxes.
