Durbin talks FutureGen with energy secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he met with Secretary of Energy Ernest Muniz to discuss the FutureGen clean-coal project.

Durbin said in a news release that he met with Muniz on Wednesday to discuss the department's commitment to the long-planned public-private project. Durbin said he stressed the importance he sees in keeping it on track.

The department is providing $1 billion to the $1.68 billion project.

The plan calls for capturing carbon dioxide from a coal-burning power plant in the Morgan County village of Meredosia. The carbon dioxide would then be injected into underground wells near Jacksonville, about 20 miles to the east and stored.

Carbon dioxide is considered a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

FutureGen earlier this year secured one of its final needed federal approvals.