Congressman wants decision on FutureGen project

CHAMPAIGN -- U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson is calling for the Obama administration to decide whether or not to pay for the FutureGen clean coal demonstration plant.

In a Friday letter to President Barack Obama, the Urbana Republican urges the president not to wait any longer on a decision about the plant planned for the eastern Illinois town of Mattoon.

Johnson spokesman Phil Bloomer says the congressman wrote the letter because Obama has been in office six months.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in March that the long-stalled project is worth pursuing.

The government initially agreed to pay most of the cost but backed out in 2008 over projections that showed rising expenses.

The Energy Department has since said those projections overstated the cost.