CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From every indication, FutureGen has a new lease on life that speaks in a big way for the development of clean coal technology and use of one of the most abundant sources of energy in West Virginia and the world.

New developments seem to spit in the eyes of those who say "no way" for coal in any form because of its polluting capacity as fossil fuel mostly responsible for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for global warming and a pack of environmental ills.

The showdown is between those for and others against any role for coal in the national effort for energy independence and a break from dependence on foreign oil. Some against mountaintop-removal mining say "never" to coal as do some hidebound environmentalists.

The Obama administration's stimulus package has tucked in it a $1 billion energy prize that in all likelihood will go to FutureGen for a clean coal plant in Mattoon, Ill., The Washington Post reported. The Bush administration dropped funds for the project after the Illinois site was selected over two others in Texas.

The Illinois delegation in Congress, led by Sen. Richard Durbin, worked long for the project now within grasp. The delegation formerly included Sen. Obama.

The 275-megawatt FutureGen plant is designed to remove 90 percent of emissions from burning coal. Carbon dioxide emissions would be pumped into geological formations deep underground. The model plant has the capacity to generate electricity for 150,000 homes. It's projected to create 11,000 jobs.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu supports the project with "some modifications," the Post says. The project belongs to FutureGen Alliance, which consists of coal and utility companies. The Alliance has lobbyists and fundraisers in the private sector.

Nonetheless, Chu's support must come as a welcome surprise to West Virginians and others who felt that past comments by the energy secretary were less than enthusiastic for coal. But they were more so for solar, wind and nuclear in the energy mix.

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- From every indication, FutureGen has a new lease on life that speaks in a big way for the development of clean coal technology and use of one of the most abundant sources of energy in West Virginia and the world.

New developments seem to spit in the eyes of those who say "no way" for coal in any form because of its polluting capacity as fossil fuel mostly responsible for carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for global warming and a pack of environmental ills.

The showdown is between those for and others against any role for coal in the national effort for energy independence and a break from dependence on foreign oil. Some against mountaintop-removal mining say "never" to coal as do some hidebound environmentalists.

The Obama administration's stimulus package has tucked in it a $1 billion energy prize that in all likelihood will go to FutureGen for a clean coal plant in Mattoon, Ill., The Washington Post reported. The Bush administration dropped funds for the project after the Illinois site was selected over two others in Texas.

The Illinois delegation in Congress, led by Sen. Richard Durbin, worked long for the project now within grasp. The delegation formerly included Sen. Obama.

The 275-megawatt FutureGen plant is designed to remove 90 percent of emissions from burning coal. Carbon dioxide emissions would be pumped into geological formations deep underground. The model plant has the capacity to generate electricity for 150,000 homes. It's projected to create 11,000 jobs.

Energy Secretary Steven Chu supports the project with "some modifications," the Post says. The project belongs to FutureGen Alliance, which consists of coal and utility companies. The Alliance has lobbyists and fundraisers in the private sector.

Nonetheless, Chu's support must come as a welcome surprise to West Virginians and others who felt that past comments by the energy secretary were less than enthusiastic for coal. But they were more so for solar, wind and nuclear in the energy mix.

But no mistake now, according to the Post, Chu sees the FutureGen project as part of a larger "portfolio" of research plants to be developed with other countries in the days ahead.

Yet support by Chu, a Nobel laureate, doesn't guarantee that the FutureGen project will win the prize for energy in the economic stimulus package, the Post said. There are other competitors.

Besides, competition gradually grows in clean coal technology at home and abroad for finance and other requirements. The money matter holds its own in the showdown between those for and against coal.

Financing figures, for instance, as the next giant step required to get going the proposed $3 billion coal-to-liquids plants by TransGas Development Systems LLC in Mingo County.

It's estimated that the plant is entitled to at least $600 million in tax breaks under the state's economic development program. Still that leaves a lot to come from other sources, particularly private investors who are more or less in a dither these days of global economic stress.

Apparently, taxpayers generally are willing and able, as indicated by the economic stimulus package under the Obama administration. A move, along with other programs, made good by Congress.

Gov. Joe Manchin stands with coal in the showdown for better days. "The decision to contract this coal-to-liquids plant will encourage more efficient use of our coal, help create more job opportunities and will continue us on our path to secure a more stable and independent future in energy," he says.

Peeks is a retired business/labor editor of the Gazette.