Local News

Tenaska Halts Energy Plant Plans

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 12:31:20 CDT
(Taylorville)--A Nebraska company had decided not to proceed with plans to build an electricity generation plant. Tenaska announced on Friday that the development of the Taylorville Energy Center in Christian County is being halted because of changing economics and the lack of support by Illinois officials.

In the original plan, Tenaska sought to build a gasification island that converted coal into synthetic gas. The plant would have injected greenhouse gas emissions underground while using the gasified coal as its fuel source for electricity generation.

Last year, Tenaska dropped the coal portion, meaning the plant wouldn't store emissions. Officials said coal gasification would have been added later.

The plant was controversial because Tenaska wanted Illinois lawmakers to approve a plan requiring customers to buy electricity from the plant for three decades.