SPRINGFIELD - Gov. Rod Blagojevich gets to decide whether efforts to build a large coal-fired power plant in Taylorville will continue.

On Thursday, lawmakers approved legislation that could help Nebraska-based developer Tenaska get financing for its proposed Taylorville Energy Center.

The company has been trying to get the help from lawmakers since last year, saying the power plant can help the state's coal industry by burning the fuel without creating much pollution.

"This is important to all of Central Illinois," Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said. "Not just Christian County."

The Illinois Senate approved the legislation Thursday by a 53-0 vote. The House had already done the same, so the plan goes to Blagojevich for further review.

Blagojevich's office was noncommittal on the plan. A spokesman said the governor was "reviewing it."

If he signs it, Tenaska has to study the project for a year and report back on how much the plant's construction would contribute to an increase in electric rates across the state.

After the study, another potential showdown with state lawmakers looms because they need to approve again.

If they don't, Taylorville could then again be without its desired power plant, and the state could be out the $18 million it plans to chip in for the study.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office helped negotiate the plan over several months earlier this year.

Tenaska needed a requirement that someone would buy the power the Taylorville plant would generate. That way, the company can get a loan to actually build it.

"We hope he (Blagojevich) signs the bill very quickly," said Madigan environmental counsel Susan Hedman.

At least one senator Thursday questioned why a private company should get millions of dollars in tax money at a time when the state is cutting services and laying off workers.

"Why are the state taxpayers being asked to put in $18 million?" said state Sen. Chris Lauzen, R-Aurora.

Business groups had opposed the legislation, Senate Bill 1987, earlier in the week, arguing the costly plant's construction would lead to higher electric rates. Still, senators approved with no dissenting votes.

"They're going to go up," Watson said. "That's just a fact of life."

mike.riopell@lee.net|789-0865