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Exelon
PI Original
by Adam Doster
12:27pm
Fri Jul 2, 2010
2 comments

Exelon: Friend Or Foe Of Solar Power?

Energy

While Exelon's innovative Chicago solar farm generates glowing media attention, the utility company's presence in Springfield may have hindered future alternative energy growth.

Quick Hit
by Josh Kalven
9:12am
Mon Apr 12, 2010

The Jacobs Connection

In the past month, we've been keeping an eye on the Illinois Senate Energy Committee, noting how a bill that would expand wind energy production in Illinois has been stalled while legislation favored by energy giants such as Exelon has advanced.  One disconcerting aspect of this dynamic is that the committee's chairman, Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-Moline), is the son of former legislator Denny Jacobs -- now a registered lobbyist for ComEd (whose parent company is none other that Exelon).  On Friday, Capitol Fax expressed some concern about that arrangement as well:

Part of the problem here is the way this bill is being lobbied. Sen. Jacobs’ father, former state Sen. Denny Jacobs, lobbies for ComEd. These two guys really need to be careful about this stuff, particularly with the feds nosing around the building.

In other wind-related news, Evanston is considering a plan to install wind turbines in Lake Michigan, about six miles off the city's shore.  (Learn more about the offshore wind power debate here.)  And Aurora is building two wind turbines intended to power several traffic lights in the town.

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:34pm
Tue Mar 30, 2010
7 comments

Exelon Attempts To Block Spread Of Wind Power

Energy

Energy industry lobbyists, worried about corporate profits, are engaged in a behind-the-scenes effort to block wind power legislation in Springfield.

PI Original
by Adam Doster
12:02pm
Thu Feb 4, 2010
7 comments

The Future Of FutureGen

Energy

With all the publicity it has generated over the years, it almost seems impossible that officials in Washington still have not approved the "clean coal" plant known as FutureGen. This month, however, the waiting games ends. We check in with some environmental advocates to get their thoughts on the potential project.

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
3:50pm
Thu Nov 12, 2009

Businesses Call Out The Chamber's "Self Serving" Lobby Against Reform

Energy

Earlier this month, the White House called out some suspect lobbying by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Just a year after the national business lobby was more than willing to bend its free-market philosophy to help big business snag its share of the federal bailout, ...

PI Original
by Josh Kalven
1:43pm
Wed Apr 22, 2009

Earth Day In Illinois

Energy

It's Earth Day, folks, and alternative energy is in the news. As the Tribune reported this morning, Exelon Corp. announced plans to build a $60 million solar power plant at a 39-acre former industrial site in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood on the South Side...

PI Original
by Angela Caputo
10:06am
Wed Oct 1, 2008

Ameren Rate Hike Goes Into Effect Today

Energy

It's looking like cash-strapped Illinois residents could be in for a long, cold winter this year. And when the sweltering summer heat returns, they may be left to sweat it out alone. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) last week gave a nod to the fourth utility rate ...

PI Original
by Adam Doster
10:35am
Fri May 30, 2008

"You And Us": McCain, Gramm, and UBS

White House '08

Both Barack Obama and John McCain are currently trying to stake out their ground as good government reform candidates: disavowing lobbyists, touting their work on campaign finance reform, and requesting that potential donors bypass independent 527 organizations and instead ...