Thousands of energy workers from across Illinois, many of them from the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant, descended on the State Capital Tuesday to lobby for changes in how the states' nuclear plants are treated, putting them at a level playing field with solar and wind, and more importantly for Clinton and DeWitt County, keeping the Clinton plant open.

Buses of Clinton residents made the day-long trek to Springfield, to show support for the Clinton plant.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) spoke at the Exelon Rally in Springfield. The workers were at the Statehouse, advocating for Senate Bill 1585, legislation that would protect consumers by capping future rate increases and give the Clinton Nuclear Power Plant a fighting chance to avoid closure.

During the rally, Rose said he will fight to keep these jobs in DeWitt County and fight to keep electric rates lower for every citizen in Illinois.  Rose added that half the state's power comes from nuclear, and if any nuclear plant closes, it means higher rates.

Stay tuned for more from local officials that attended Tuesday's lobbying effort, on Regional Radio and dewittdailynews-dot-com.