Campus owner Peabody received affirmation from the US Seventh Circuit Court, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“Prairie State's environmental profile has continued to prevail in the courts of law and public opinion,” said Rick Bowen, Peabody senior vice-president of Btu conversion and strategic planning.

“Each environmental review has brought stronger affirmation of Prairie State's advanced environmental controls.”

Prairie State is a 1600-megawatt supercritical coal-fuelled power plant being built in Washington County, Illinois.

Peabody said the plant will be among the cleanest US plants with emission rates that are approximately 80% lower than existing power plants in the country.

The mine and power plant will create more than 500 permanent jobs and will inject nearly $US125 million into the region each year.