FutureGen site geological, engineering tests OK

Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (AP) — Developers of the FutureGen clean-coal project say geological and engineering tests have confirmed the suitability of a site in western Illinois for underground carbon-dioxide storage.

The FutureGen Alliance said Tuesday the results allow the group to apply for final permits for the site in Morgan County near Meredosia. The Alliance says it will no longer maintain alternate sites in Christian and Douglas counties.

The FutureGen Alliance is a group of coal and power companies planning to refit a coal-powered power plant in Meredosia with technology that removes carbon dioxide from coal and stores it underground. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas linked to climate change. The project has $1 billion in federal funding.

Initial plans to build a plant near Mattoon in east-central Illinois and store CO2 there fell through.