Coal-Gasification Proponents Eye Novel Project For Methane Production

Energy industry officials are poised to submit, possibly this week, a permit application to Illinois for a new power plant that would produce synthetic natural gas from coal as well as generate electricity -- the first facility of its kind in over two decades and a project that is already drawing the attention of coal-state lawmakers looking for ways to boost the fuel's use. Sources say the project's backers recently met with members of the Illinois congressional delegation to inform...