Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger has sent a letter to president Joe Biden asking him to use his emergency powers to keep Exelon’s Byron and Dresden nuclear power station operating until state or federal energy laws can be passed to financially support the plants.

“If Springfield lacks the will to save these plants, and if Congress cannot act quickly enough, then it’s time for the president to step in and consider every possible action to support nuclear power in favour of our collective security – including the security of energy resources, the climate, the economy, and the nation,” Mr Kinzinger wrote.

Mr Kinzinger wants Mr Biden to keep both stations open at least until Springfield – the Illinois state capital – or Washington can enact new laws to level the energy playing field and help financially-struggling plants.

Byron’s two units are scheduled to be permanently shut down in September, with Dresden’s two units following in November.