The approval of a coal-based power plant in Marshalltown, Iowa, is a major step in the continued development and deployment of clean coal technology and the continued utilization of coal- America's most abundant energy resource-according to a statement by American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) Vice President of Communications Joe Lucas.

"The approval of the Marshalltown plant sends a clear message to the rest of the country," Lucas said. "We can use coal, which is essential in providing affordable, reliable electricity to millions of U.S. consumers and a growing domestic economy, and continue to reduce the amount of manmade greenhouse gas in our environment through advanced clean coal technology," he said.

The permit will enable Alliant Energy to retire older plants in its system when the more efficient plant comes on line, benefiting the environment through emissions reductions while adding more power to meet the needs of Iowa's citizens, and the demand of the state's growing economy.

The fact that the new plant will allow Iowans to burn biomass, store carbon through advanced clean coal technology and develop new wind power, as spelled out in the permitting process, will bring a variety of economic opportunities to the state as well.

"The U.S. has made tremendous environmental improvements in the way coal is used to generate electricity," Lucas said, noting the use of coal for electricity generation has more than tripled since 1970, while criteria emissions controlled under the federal Clean Air Act have been reduced by nearly 50 percent. "New coal plant projects like the one in Marshalltown are important in the advancement of widespread capture and storage of manmade greenhouse gas emissions."