Central Illinois Rallies to Celebrate a New Era for the Clinton Clean Energy Center

By: Constellation Energy Corporation via Business Wire

August 27, 2025 at 09:00 AM EDT

Hundreds of community members and labor leaders joined employees from Constellation yesterday at the Clinton Clean Energy Center to welcome Meta and celebrate the landmark agreement that secures the long-term future of the plant and the reliable, clean energy it provides to the Midwest energy grid.

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Representatives from Constellation and Meta outside of the Clinton Clean Energy Center.

Download Clinton Clean Energy Center Photos and B-Roll

The celebration follows the announcement of a 20-year agreement between Constellation and Meta that supports the continued operation, expansion and relicensing of the Clinton facility following the expiration of the state’s Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) program in May 2027. With the future of the plant secure, Constellation can evaluate opportunities for additional nuclear capacity at the site.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that we maintain and expand all sources of clean, reliable energy, and thanks to Meta’s investment, the future of the Clinton Clean Energy Center and its contributions to this community are secure,” said Kathleen Barrón, Constellation Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy and Growth Officer. “With Meta’s support and the backing of state and local leaders, hundreds of jobs, millions of dollars in state and local taxes, and all the economic benefits of Clinton are here to stay, delivering power to the grid for the next two decades, at zero cost to utility customers.”

"Nuclear energy is a vital component of our strategy to support Meta's AI ambitions. By partnering with Constellation at the Clinton Clean Energy Center, we're ensuring a stable and reliable power source that bolsters grid resilience and supports thousands of local jobs. This collaboration not only strengthens the grid’s infrastructure but also contributes to the economic vitality of the region and helps bolster American leadership in AI,” said Kevin Janda, director, global data center strategy, Meta.

The Clinton Clean Energy Center’s economic and environmental impacts are significant. The facility directly employs more than 530 people, contributes approximately $13.5 million in annual taxes and generates enough emissions-free electricity to power over 800,000 homes. An analysis by The Brattle Group found that if the plant were to close, emissions would rise by more than 34 million metric tons over 20 years – the equivalent of putting approximately 7.4 million gasoline-powered cars on the road for one year. The same study found that Illinois’ GDP would fall by $765 million annually, with impacts rippling across multiple industries. The agreement with Meta prevents these consequences and secures the plant’s continued contributions to the region.

“This agreement is a victory for union workers, for Clinton, and for the future of clean energy in Illinois," said Bobby Wedell, Business Manager of IBEW Local 51. "Our members have proudly powered this facility for decades, and thanks to the partnership between Constellation and Meta, we can look ahead with confidence. This deal secures hundreds of good-paying, highly skilled jobs right here in Central Illinois, and reinforces what we’ve always known: nuclear energy and union labor are essential to building a strong, sustainable economy."

Constellation is also deepening its long-standing commitment to the Clinton community. The company today reaffirmed its pledge to invest $1 million over five years beginning in 2026 to support workforce development, social services, education and local nonprofits in Clinton and surrounding areas. In 2025 alone, Constellation has donated $150,000 to local charitable initiatives, including $45,000 to the Neighborhood Care Center for critical facility upgrades, $25,000 to the DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds for infrastructure improvements, and more than $20,000 in scholarships for students at area schools such as Clinton High School, Heyworth Junior/Senior High School and Heartland Community College.

"The Clinton Clean Energy Center has long been an excellent partner for our community, and today’s celebration marks the start of a new era," said Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi. "We’re grateful to Constellation and Meta for investing not just in clean energy, but in our community, agencies and the people of Clinton. This agreement protects jobs, strengthens our local tax base and paves the way for even greater opportunity in the years ahead. It’s a big win for our residents, our schools and our future."

“Constellation’s investment in the Neighborhood Care Center is transformational,” said Cody Monkman, Network Director at NCC. “Their support doesn’t just help improve our facilities – it strengthens our ability to serve Clinton and McLean County for years to come. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our organization and the communities we support.”

With confidence in the plant’s continued operation, Constellation is also evaluating opportunities to extend the site’s early site permit or pursue a new construction permit from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to enable the potential development of an advanced reactor or small modular reactor at the Clinton site. The agreement also enables Constellation to add new clean energy to the grid in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s (MISO) zone four territory, which spans central and southern Illinois. As part of the deal, the Clinton facility will add 30 megawatts of increased output through nuclear uprates.

The Clinton Clean Energy Center was originally licensed in 1987 and supplies enough clean electricity to power more than 800,000 homes. With this agreement, Clinton will continue playing a vital role in decarbonizing the power grid while supporting high-paying union jobs and driving regional economic growth.

About Constellation

Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), a Fortune 200 company headquartered in Baltimore, is the nation’s largest producer of reliable, emissions-free energy and a leading energy supplier to businesses, homes and public sector customers nationwide, including three-fourths of Fortune 100 companies. With annual output that is nearly 90% carbon-free, our hydro, wind and solar facilities paired with the nation’s largest nuclear fleet have the generating capacity to power the equivalent of 16 million homes, providing about 10% of the nation’s clean energy. We are committed to investing in innovative technologies to drive the transition to a reliable, sustainable and secure energy future. Follow Constellation on LinkedIn and X.