The Illinois legislature on Thursday edged closer to approving a deal that would save two Exelon Corp nuclear power plants from closing beginning on Monday after the House speaker announced his support for a deal added to a state energy bill. House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Democrat, said the amendment “prioritizes our climate, equitable job preservation and creation, and ethics reform.” The amendment, which was also supported by environmental and labor groups, requires coal plants including Prairie State, the state’s largest carbon emitter, to cut current emissions 45% by 2035 and to be 100% carbon-free, or close, by Dec. 31, 2045. The plants can use any technology including the burning of hydrogen produced by renewable power to meet those levels. Exelon […]