Governor Pat Quinn is a big fan of gassification.
On Wednesday the governor signed legislation that could lead to the construction of a new power-generating plant on Chicago's south side, add jobs to the state and help keep the state clean.
The plant, which would likely rise near the site of a former steel mill, would convert coal into natural gas.
"We have to think big," Quinn said at a news conference for the bill signing. "Natural gas is the preferred energy source for many businesses in the 21st century. ... This is the way that we're going to be energy independent."
Quinn also said the coal gassification project would create up to 1,500 jobs for Illinoisans, and and use Illinois coal.
New York-based Leucadia National Corp. has proposed building a $3 Billion plant on the abandoned steel site.
"We're going to be reclaiming a site that needs some remediation," Quinn said. "We know what has happened here in the past in this part of our state of Illinois. This area a mighty area when it came to steel and industrial products, we want to make sure that its going to be mighty again."
