State Reviewing Proposed Coal Gasification Plant

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is considering whether to allow an Australian company to build an underground coal gasification demonstration facility outside of Wright.

The Associated Press reports that Brisbane-based Linc submitted the second part of its proposal in April. The state hasn't approved or denied the project, but it is responding with questions and comments.

Company spokeswoman Maria VanderKolk says the demonstration process would last 90 days and aims to determine if Linc can commercially produce synthetic gas out of coal from the Powder River Basin.

Syngas is primarily used for electricity generation and jet fuel.

The public will get to comment on Linc's application after details are worked out with the state.