The U.S. Department of Energy gave Morgan County the go ahead for the FutureGen project.
The Energy Department says that FutureGen would meet the country's goal of having diverse energy sources without significant environmental effects.
Supporters say FutureGen would create more jobs in Morgan County.
While opponents have argued it's an unproven technology and could threaten the local water supply, pollute air and damage farmland.
The project was originally intended for Mattoon and will have one billion dollars in federal funding.