Constellation and Meta Sign Landmark 20-Year Agreement to Power Illinois with Clean Nuclear Energy
In a significant development for the future of clean energy in the United States, Constellation (Nasdaq: CEG), the nation’s largest producer of carbon-free energy, has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. This long-term agreement will provide Meta with 1,121 megawatts of zero-emission nuclear energy from Constellation’s Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois, beginning in June 2027.
The deal is a major step toward meeting Meta’s ambitious climate and sustainability goals while ensuring the continued operation of one of Illinois’ most important energy assets. It will also have far-reaching economic and environmental impacts for the local community and the broader Midwestern region.
Supporting Long-Term Clean Energy and Economic Stability
Meta’s agreement with Constellation represents one of the largest corporate purchases of nuclear power in the United States. The Clinton Clean Energy Center, a high-performing nuclear facility located in central Illinois, has long been a vital part of the region’s energy infrastructure. However, due to market conditions and years of financial challenges, the plant faced the threat of premature closure in 2017. It was saved at the time by the passage of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), which created the Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) program—a mechanism that provided essential financial support to help keep the facility operational.
That ZEC program is scheduled to expire in 2027. With that in mind, Constellation and Meta’s new agreement comes at a critical time. Rather than relying on public subsidies, the companies are turning to a market-based solution to secure the Clinton plant’s long-term viability. This PPA effectively replaces the ZEC program and ensures that the Clinton Clean Energy Center can continue to produce reliable, emissions-free electricity without further cost to Illinois ratepayers.
The agreement also supports the plant’s relicensing for another two decades and includes plans to expand its output by an additional 30 megawatts through technology upgrades, known as uprates. This will allow the facility to generate even more clean energy for the regional grid operated by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), which services central and southern Illinois.
A Shared Commitment to Climate and Community
For Meta, securing reliable, clean electricity is critical to powering its global operations and supporting its artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives, data centers, and platforms. The company has pledged to match 100% of its electricity consumption with clean and renewable energy sources, a goal that this new agreement will help fulfill.
“We are excited to partner with Constellation and the Clinton community to ensure the long-term operations of the nuclear plant, add new capacity, and help preserve over 1,000 jobs,” said Urvi Parekh, Head of Global Energy at Meta. “Securing clean, reliable energy is necessary to continue advancing our AI ambitions. We are proud to help keep the Clinton plant operating for years to come and demonstrate that this plant is an important piece to strengthening American leadership in energy.”
Constellation’s president and CEO, Joe Dominguez, echoed those sentiments and emphasized the broader significance of the partnership. “Last year, Constellation’s announced plan to restart the Crane Clean Energy Center became national news, but despite all of the interest and overwhelming support, a key question was missed: why did we let such a valuable plant close in the first place?” Dominguez asked. “We all know that the closure cost our community jobs, tax revenue, more pollution and higher prices.
We are proud to partner with Meta because they asked that important question, and even better, they figured out that supporting the relicensing and expansion of existing plants is just as impactful as finding new sources of energy. Sometimes the most important part of our journey forward is to stop taking steps backwards.”
Economic and Environmental Impact
The benefits of this agreement go well beyond corporate sustainability goals. Economically, the Clinton Clean Energy Center is a pillar of the regional economy. It directly employs over 530 skilled professionals, most of whom live in the surrounding communities. Altogether, the plant supports more than 1,100 high-paying jobs when including contractors and indirect employment.
In addition to preserving these jobs, the plant contributes approximately $13.5 million annually in local tax revenue. These funds support schools, emergency services, and infrastructure in DeWitt County and beyond. The new agreement also includes a $1 million commitment from Constellation for local charitable giving over the next five years, beginning in 2026. These funds will go toward workforce development initiatives, education programs, social services, and nonprofit organizations that serve the area.
From an environmental perspective, the Clinton plant plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It generates enough clean electricity to power over 800,000 homes without releasing carbon into the atmosphere. A study by The Brattle Group found that retiring the Clinton facility would increase carbon emissions by more than 34 million metric tons over a 20-year period—the equivalent of putting about 7.4 million gasoline-powered vehicles on the road for a full year.
The same analysis found that shuttering the plant would result in an estimated $765 million drop in Illinois’ GDP annually, underscoring its importance to the state’s broader economy. Industries across Illinois would feel the loss, from suppliers to service providers and educational institutions that rely on the plant’s presence and contributions.
A Pathway for Nuclear Innovation
The long-term certainty provided by this PPA also opens the door for future technological advancements. With the Clinton facility now secure for at least two more decades, Constellation is evaluating the possibility of extending the plant’s existing early site permit or applying for a new construction license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). This would pave the way for the development of advanced nuclear technologies—such as small modular reactors (SMRs)—on-site.
SMRs are an emerging technology that could revolutionize the nuclear energy landscape by making plants more scalable, cost-effective, and flexible. Deploying one at Clinton could help Illinois maintain its leadership in clean energy innovation and provide new jobs and investment opportunities for the region.
Rising Public Support for Nuclear Power
The timing of this announcement is also in alignment with growing public support for nuclear energy in the United States. A recent Gallup poll showed that approval of nuclear energy is on the rise, with 61% of Americans in favor—up from 55% in 2023. This shift reflects a broader understanding of nuclear energy’s role in combating climate change and providing a stable, carbon-free power source.
As more Americans embrace the need for reliable and sustainable energy solutions, the partnership between Constellation and Meta serves as a model for how private companies can lead the way in decarbonization efforts while simultaneously supporting communities and promoting innovation.
