CLINTON - Exelon Generation Co. LLC moved one step closer Thursday toward the possibility of building a second nuclear plant in Clinton.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to approve an early site permit for the company. The permit is to be issued within 10 days of the vote.

Exelon officials, however, said they have no immediate plan to build a new nuclear plant at the Clinton Power Station location. Exelon operates the current plant through its AmerGen Energy Corp. subsidiary.

"Certain conditions would have to fall into place before Exelon would consider building a plant: a workable solution to the spent fuel disposal problem, community acceptance, the right reactor technology, and the economics must be favorable," said Marilyn Kray, vice president of project development for Exelon Nuclear.

Kray has led the company's effort on the second plant project since it began in 2002.

If granted, Exelon would be the first company to receive an early site permit under a new licensing process. The permit resolves certain environmental, site suitability and emergency planning issues with regard to possible construction of a new plant.

The 20-year permit allows Exelon to bank a site for a possible power plant and see if it's worth sinking hundreds of millions of dollars into building a second nuclear plant at Clinton.

The permit does not, however, authorize construction of a new plant. Should the company decide to build a power plant, it would need to apply for a combined operating license.

Some people have voiced opposition to any plans for the company to build a second plant.

"Building another nuclear power plant is the last thing we should do," said Samuel Galewsky, a Millikin University biology professor and former Clinton resident. He currently lives in Bloomington. "I know that's what not to do."

Galewsky said electricity should be conserved better along with using alternative sources such as wind.

"Those are the things Illinois should be thinking about, not about putting yet one more nuclear power plant in our state," Galewsky said, saying nuclear power is dangerous and has potential health concerns.

Galewsky has voiced his opposition to the permit but said, "There was virtually nothing that could have been brought up that would say, 'You shouldn't put a second reactor here.'"

The potential to build a second plant has been a tax issue recently. Company officials have argued the future potential to produce power shouldn't be considered when deciding the Clinton Power Station's taxable value. The DeWitt County Board of Review is considering reassessing the value of the plant.

At stake is millions of dollars in tax money for local schools and other government bodies.