TUSCOLA – Officials in Douglas County said on Monday they were disappointed about being passed over to host an underground storage site for carbon dioxide generated by the FutureGen coal plant.

But they also believe being named an alternate site puts the county in a prime position to host other projects.

"Obviously we are all a little disappointed," said Tuscola Economic Development Inc., Executive Director Brian Moody. "We would have liked the opportunity to work on the project here in Tuscola."

Moody noted that Tuscola was the only community named as a finalist for the original FutureGen project, which was awarded to Mattoon, and as an underground storage site for the revised FutureGen plant being planned near Jacksonville, Ill.

"We'll do what we can to support the project, and we're glad it is still happening in Illinois," Moody said. "We are supportive of Morgan County and wish them luck."

Moody noted that the FutureGen Alliance identified Douglas County and Christian County as alternative sites should concerns arise about the technical, legal or public acceptability of Morgan County.

"We're planning on talking to the alliance about what being an alternative site might involve," Moody said.

"It is possible something might pop up along the way that could cause building in Morgan County not to proceed. If they hit a glitch along the way or of if legal agreements can't get worked out, we are an alternative. But that's a very unlikely scenario."

Douglas County Engineer Jim Crane said the county remains a prime site for another power plant or another project down the road.

"Long-term, once the technology for sequestration has been proven, we feel we have a pristine site to bring a power plant or some other type of project to Douglas County," Crane said.

Moody said he believes other companies looking for a clean way to burn coal may look to Tuscola.

"We still have an ideal site for a large industrial project and a large sequestration project," Moody said. "All the information gathered by FutureGen during the selection process will be a great benefit to a company down the road who wants to develop our site."