The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case regarding the $1.65 billion FutureGen clean-coal project in west-central Illinois.

Reports indicate the high court said last week it would consider if Illinois utililties must buy electricity from the FutureGen facility in Morgan County. The Illinois Commerce Commission issued a late 2012 ruling requiring utilities, like ComEd and Ameren, to sign 20-year contracts for FutureGen-produced power.

The state's 1st District Appellate Court rejected a challenge from ComEd and alternative power suppliers in July. They argued the Illinois Commerce Commission exceeded its authority. Ameren wasn't party of the challenge.

Plans are to refit a coal-fired power plant in Meredosia (mair-uh-DOH'-shuh) to capture carbon dioxide and store it underground. The project includes $1 billion in federal government funding.