Coal plant bill fails in Illinois Senate

A bill which would have authorized construction of a $3.5 billion clean coal technology plant in Taylorville has failed in a vote in the Illinois Senate.

After the bill failed Wednesday to get the 30 votes needed for passage its Senate sponsor, Carlinville Democrat Deanna Demuzio, used a parliamentary maneuver to keep it alive for another possible vote. It will die if it hasn't been passed by the Senate by the time a new General Assembly is sworn in next Wednesday.

The legislation would authorize construction of the Taylorville Energy Center by Omaha-based Tenaska Energy.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports it is opposed by a group of industrial opponents led by Chicago-based Exelon. Demuzio and other supporters say the plant would create thousands of jobs, both during construction and operation.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com