The Mesaba Energy project is moving forward..

Chris Buckley has the latest on the most recent hearings held on the Iron Range this week.

20 technical and environmental experts gave their testimony at both the preferred site in Taconite and the alternate site in Hoyt Lakes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

On the environmental impacts and aspects of the project, from parent company Excelsior energy, to build power plants on the Iron Range using whats known as clean coal technology.

"We're getting to the end of the licensing period, once they decide on a site, there will be permits issued, air and water, then once we finalize the PPA we'll start construction, hopefully sometime next year."

The public had a chance to give their input, and while local government leaders and trades members expressed their support for the jobs and economic opportunities the project would provide.

"The area and state is going to need more power, why not generate it here in a clean, responsible manner instead of sending it over lines for hundreds of miles."

Some citizens still have environmental concerns.

"This is a dirty coal burning plant just like the rest of them"

Excelsior officials say they've spent millions of dollars to make sure that's not the case.

"The fact is theres no plant like it in the world and it's had such extensive study and modeling and environmental engineering studies and that's why it's going to be the cleanest and most modern plant in the world, and we're going to have people from all over the globe coming to Northern Minnesota to see this plant in operation, that's how fantastic it's going to be."

Excelsior officials say their long term goal is to develop three separate power production sites on the Range and the Taconite site is the best site to begin with.