SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In an effort to reinvigorate coal-centric local economies, state Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is spearheading an effort to increase state investment in clean coal technology.

“With recent advancements in clean coal technology, we are able to create energy cost-effectively and environmentally-safe, while also restoring jobs in Illinois that have been lost due to the closing of Illinois coal mines,” Hoffman said. “This proposal will help bring back jobs and allow local economies to grow.”

Hoffman’s legislation, House Bill 3042, creates the Clean Coal Technology Development and Utilization Fund. A special fund that will have the sole purpose of issuing grants to help power plants transition to or more efficiently utilize clean coal technology, which would allow them to utilize Illinois coal to create energy.

“Illinois is blessed with an abundance of coal reserves,” Hoffman said. “With these incentives we will bring jobs back to Illinois and do so in an environmentally safe manner.”

House Bill 3042 passed the House Energy Committee last week and is awaiting further action in the House.