Many Permian Basin residents have spent a good deal of time and energy lately making a case for bringing the FutureGen plant to the area. Indeed, the $1.5 billion federally backed project designed to create a near-zero emissions coal-fired electrical generating facility would appear to be a good fit for West Texas because this is such an energy-minded region.

But maybe, now that the Penwell site near Odessa is one of four finalists for the project, some intangibles need to be added to the equation.

For example, it would be difficult to find a cluster of communities more receptive to the changes that come with technology.

After all, the Permian Basin has seen almost constant change since petroleum became an integral part of the area’s economic picture. Through booms and busts, places like Odessa and Midland weathered the dramatic differences to remain flexible and viable.

When oil bottomed out and fewer workers were needed in the field, members of the workforce simply retrained and adapted for jobs in the high-tech fields of medicine and computers. When petroleum fortunes took an upward turn, we had younger people ready to learn the ropes and go back into the oilfields.

And the area always is willing to embrace alternate forms of energy production, especially those that are environmentally friendly. Yes, oil has long been the lifeblood of the region, but new forms of energy do nothing but complement fossil-based fuels.

For instance, wind energy is becoming a bigger part of the Permian Basin all the time. And we are very receptive to the possibility that a state-of-the-art nuclear reactor might come to the area. Why not add coal power to the marvelous array of energy options available here?

Also not to be overlooked is the enthusiasm available at a growing and energetic University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school soon will be home to a new science and technology center, and officials welcome any forms of research that might help lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

And speaking of UTPB, that university is just one of the reasons why there is such a wide range of cultural interests available for those who would be a part of FutureGen. The university hosts regular forums that bring in nationally known speakers.

The communities of Odessa and Midland also have a nice array of entertainment options ranging from sports to community theater to museums.

But the area’s most precious resource remains its people — independent thinkers willing to tackle almost any worthwhile task as long it benefits the community as a whole. And no one can dispute that FutureGen fills the bill.