We've spent a good deal of time on the show discussing the future of the Exelon nuclear power plant in Byron. For a while, officials with the company have been warning of a potential closure in the near future because of its inability to make money on the plant.

On Friday, however, it appeared Byron received a reprieve. The Chicago Tribune reports the facility was picked in the power auction that sets rates and locks in supply for the next three years:

Industry experts estimated that the higher prices in the ComEd region may bring Exelon roughly $400 million in additional revenue from its northern Illinois nuclear plants over last year's auction, despite Quad Cities not being selected. They also pointed out that Exelon could stand to pull in even more in two smaller auctions in the coming weeks.

But Exelon executive Joseph Dominguez...said in an interview Friday that the additional revenue does not create a lifeline for Quad Cities or other struggling plants, and that the legislation is "absolutely critical" to those continuing to run in the long run.

Though Exelon still is pushing for relief through legislation in Springfield, an analysis by Steve Daniels at Crain's Chicago Business indicates that Byron should have a much better chance to remain open now that it has won a portion of the auction:

Exelon has identified its Byron plant as a money-loser in the past, but if it cleared the PJM auction it will come out a modest money-maker thanks to the higher capacity payments. Byron stands to reap profits of around $26 million even if future energy prices remain this low.

Exelon's Dresden, LaSalle and Braidwood plants, which are closer to Chicago, will continue to make money...With the windfall from the capacity increase, their 2018 profits plus Byron's (if it cleared) appear essentially to offset losses at Quad Cities and Clinton.

This also serves to support Daniels' assertion from a few weeks ago, when he told us on the show that it appeared Byron was moving onto the "safe list" of Exelon nuclear plants:

Read More: Byron Nuclear Plant Appears To Be Off Closure List" align="center"]

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