A review of non-renewable energy options in Illinois

The State of Illinois has the largest non-renewable (fossil) energy reserves among all the states in the United States. We report our studies on coal, oil and gas energy resources, conversions, consumptions and carbon dioxide sequestration advances in Illinois from the point of view of sustainability in energy and environmental. This includes reserves and characteristics of coal, oil and gas in the Illinois Basin, enhanced oil recovery possibilities, coal-bed-methane recovery, underground coal gasification possibilities, and natural gas production potential from the New Albany Shale through hydraulic fracturing, as well as the benefits and technological problems which may be encountered. We also analyze the present underground gas storage facilities and the benefits and potential for underground carbon dioxide storage options in Illinois. Considering that the major end-use version of energy in Illinois is electricity, we investigate the role of “Clean Air Act” on the future of “clean coal technology” fossil-fueled power plants in Illinois.