FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - Governor Ernie Fletcher has signed an executive order calling for a special session of the General Assembly beginning Thursday in Frankfort.

Fletcher says the session is necessary to providing financial incentives to companies interested in building plants to convert coal to liquid fuels.

The governor provided lawmakers with letters from four companies, including Peabody Energy Corporation, that say Kentucky needs to offer incentives in order to compete with other states.

Peabody is considering building a coal conversion plant that could cost up to 3 (B) billion dollars and create up to 800 full-time jobs.

Some state lawmakers had questioned the necessity of a special session, saying the matters could wait until next year.

Last week, House Speaker Jody Richards left open the possibility that House lawmakers could choose to convene and adjourn the same day, without taking action on the measure.

Fletcher included a number of other topics for lawmakers' consideration. The topics include millions of dollars worth of capital projects, an income tax break for active duty and reserve military families and domestic partner health insurance benefits at public universities.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)