MORGAN COUNTY, ILL. -- UPDATED: July 19 at 4 a.m.

Developers of the FutureGen clean-coal project say geological and engineering tests have confirmed the suitability of a site in western Illinois for underground carbon-dioxide storage.

The FutureGen Alliance says the results allow the group to apply for final permits for the site in Morgan County near Meredosia. The Alliance says it will no longer maintain alternate sites in Christian and Douglas counties.

The FutureGen Alliance is a group of coal and power companies planning to refit a coal-powered power plant in Meredosia with technology that removes carbon dioxide from coal and stores it underground. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas linked to climate change. The project has $1 billion in federal funding.

Initial plans to build a plant near Mattoon in east-central Illinois and store CO2 there fell through.

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ORIGINAL STORY: July 18

Morgan County is the winner ... at least when it comes to one of the most highly anticipated clean energy projects in the state.

The Jacksonville Journal Courier reports that officials with the FutureGen Alliance have confirmed that Morgan County is the preferred location for the multi-billion dollar project.

Alliance officials say that they will no longer maintain alternative locations in Christian and Douglas counties.