Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich this week signed an economic incentive package totalling $US82 million for potential project developers, according to the Associated Press. Titled SB1704, the details also include protection from accident liability should the project call Mattoon or Tuscola home.

Recently on a tour stop in the state, Blagojevich spoke on the positives of FutureGen, including Illinois’ potential to be a clean coal technology leader, the report said.

In Texas, New Jersey-based NRG Energy said last Friday it has donated access to 4800 acre-feet of groundwater annually for operation of the plant if the Heart of Brazos site is chosen to call FutureGen home. Also included in the package are support services, along with its previously promised 400 acres of land near the company’s Limestone Generating Station near Jewett – twice the land needed for the facility.

The FutureGen Texas Advisory Board, led by Michael L Williams, commended the energy company’s decision as it continues efforts to entice the project to the southern state.

“Today’s announcement … moves Texas another step closer to having the winning FutureGen proposal,” the board said.

A final decision on the site for the $US1.5 billion FutureGen project, the first zero-emissions electric power facility, is expected in November. Initial work for technology selection, design and engineering is scheduled to be completed in March of next year.

When the project breaks ground in 2009, some 1300 temporary construction jobs and 150 permanent positions will be created.

Members of the FutureGen Alliance include American Electric Power, Anglo American, BHP Billiton, the China Huaneng Group, Consol Energy, E.ON US, Foundation Coal, Rio Tinto Energy America, Peabody Energy, PPL Corporation, and Southern Company.