FutureGen plant's money protected

The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved legislation Thursday that protects money already set aside for building FutureGen in Mattoon until the next administration decides what to do about the project.

The measure means that about $134 million intended for FutureGen won't be used until a new president and his administration decide whether to build the $1.8 billion plant in Mattoon or go ahead with the current Energy Department's plan to help pay for clean-coal technology in smaller, commercial plants. It came after the Energy and Water Subcommittee passed funding legislation Tuesday.

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