The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a 28-mile FutureGen Alliance pipeline proposal that will carry carbon dioxide through the western part of the state.
The commission says its permission is contingent on federal officials giving final approval to the $1.68 billion project. FutureGen will capture carbon dioxide from a coal-burning power plant in Meredosia.
The carbon dioxide would then be injected into underground wells near Jacksonville and stored.
Organizers want permits to inject 1.1 million metric tons a year for 20 years. The permits would be the first in the nation for injecting and storing the gas underground.