U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin has asked Energy Secretary Steven Chu to approve the next phase of central Illinois' FutureGen clean-coal project.
Durbin's office says the Illinois Commerce Commission voted Wednesday in favor of a purchase agreement for the power that the Meredosia plant would generate. The next phase of the project would include preliminary design, pre-construction and engineering.
Durbin says the ICC's decision solidifies FutureGen's "financial viability." He says a power plant in Meredosia can start be retrofitted once the next phase receives Energy Department approval. Durbin met with the energy secretary earlier this month in Washington.