Officials attempt to measure impact of possible nuclear plant closure

The Byron plant pays one of the highest property tax bills in the United States annually. In 2019, the plant’s main real estate tax bill was $34.9 million. Ogle County and programs associated with it received over $3.7 million from that 2019 tax bill. The Oregon Park District received over $2.2 million.

Ogle County Board Chairman John Finfrock said the nuclear plant makes up a third of the county’s tax money. He hopes negotiations between the plant and government will end with it staying open.

The potential closure comes at an inopportune time for the county with the COVID-19 cutting budgets, Finfrock said. He believes prosperity in the county would lessen if a closure happens and that the plant makes up most of its non-agricultural economy.

“It’s changed a lot of things,” Finfrock said. “The workforce that built that plant came from here. I’ve been here all my life and I’ve seen a lot of changes. This would be a big one.”

Oregon Park District Executive Director Erin Folk said nuclear plant money makes up 79 percent of OPD’s tax revenue. She said she did not expect the decision but knew it was a possibility after it being discussed by Exelon for several years.

Folk said she and other local leaders have reached out to local representatives and state senators to see what can be done. She said OPD has made decisions over 10 years to minimize the impact of a potential closure of the plant including a long-term capital fund and take care of existing infrastructure.

“We were disappointed in the decision and will continue to evaluate what will happen,” Folk said. “A lot can happen between now and Sept. 2021. That tax revenue loss would be devastating for our district, city and county.”

Byron taxing bodies make up the majority of Exelon’s tax bill for the plant. The Byron School District received just over $19.1 million. The Byron Fire District was earmarked for $2.54 million. The Byron Library District was listed as $862,695 and the Byron Forest Preserve received nearly $2.35 million.

Byron School District Superintendent Buster Barton said his district is “very concerned” over the recent announcement and that the plant plays a significant ability in the schools’ ability to operate.

“It would have a devastating effect on us financially,” Barton said.

Barton said no contingency planning has been done and the district is gathering information to share with its stakeholders as soon as possible. Approximately 75 percent of the district’s budget comes from the plant. Byron has 1,500 students in its district. Barton said all of the district’s future plans are being reviewed as it moves forward.

The City of Byron doesn’t receive any tax money from the plant due to it not being within the city limits. But Mayor John Rickard said Thursday morning that the news was hard to take.

“I didn’t know,” Rickard said. “Initially, it was a shock. And then a sense of disappointment. And then it was, ‘What do we have to do?’”

Rickard said 1,200 people lived in Byron before the plant. Its population is now 3,800. He believes if the closure takes place, the city would undergo “significant” change. That’s why the city has been making efforts to diversify its economic base.

Rickard is unsure if the plant’s announcement is set in stone or if it’s an effort to get a better tax advantage. He thinks it could be both. He is sure of his surprise at the news.

“It thought this would be further down the road,” Rickard said.