Gov. Blagojevich applauds passage of legislation continuing strong bipartisan push to bring FutureGen to Illinois

Legislation part of campaign to bring world's cleanest coal plant to Illinois

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[July 27, 2007]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich applauded state lawmakers Thursday for passing Senate Bill 1704, which is another important step in demonstrating why Illinois is the natural location for FutureGen, a $1.4 billion, state-of-the-art coal-to-energy facility. Mattoon and Tuscola are two of only four remaining sites for this public-private project, which would have a major economic impact statewide, in addition to demonstrating breakthroughs in clean-coal technology.

State Sens. Gary Forby and Dale Righter and state Reps. Kurt Granberg and Chapin Rose sponsored Senate Bill 1704.

"We have been working long and hard to bring FutureGen where it belongs," Blagojevich said. "This is the right decision for Illinois and our country because the science is on our side to make this project a tremendous success. We've been making the investments that have made Illinois a national leader in clean-coal technology, which are opening up new markets for our coal, creating new jobs and making us more energy-independent. The General Assembly has helped us move closer to that goal today, and we must continue our bipartisan efforts on the federal, state and local level to take advantage of this critical momentum."

A recent study by Southern Illinois University Carbondale showed that FutureGen would have a significant statewide and local economic impact. The study found that it would have a much larger economic impact than the 1,300 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs the U.S. Department of Energy estimates would be created. During the four-year construction period, there would also be more than $1 billion in economic impact statewide, and 1,225 indirect and induced spinoff jobs will be created as a result of the ripple effect generated by FutureGen. Once FutureGen is operational, the study shows it will generate $135 million annually in total statewide economic output, with an $85 million annual increase in Coles and Douglas counties if either Mattoon or Tuscola is selected. It will also create an additional 360 indirect and induced full-time jobs statewide, according to the report.

FutureGen will be designed to be the cleanest fossil fuel-fired power plant in the world. The facility will convert coal into hydrogen and electricity, while capturing and storing the carbon dioxide deep underground. This effort will lay the groundwork for developing similar power plants around the country and the world, providing a framework for new energy projects that capture, rather than release greenhouse gases. The facility will produce 275 megawatts of electric power, which is enough electricity to power 150,000 homes, as well as hydrogen for fuel cell technology that will serve as the next-generation "battery" to operate everything from a computer to a car. 

Senate Bill 1704 provides liability protection and establishes monitoring responsibility, which are important advances in Illinois' efforts to bring FutureGen to Illinois. The legislation would protect the FutureGen Alliance from facing liability for unanticipated release of carbon dioxide, which is highly unlikely. Texas, which has the other two remaining sites, Odessa and near Jewett, has already passed a version of indemnification legislation.

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"This is such a unique opportunity for both our state and country to advance a technology right here in Illinois that could take advantage of one of our greatest natural resources," said Forby, D-Benton, a Senate sponsor of the legislation. "For more than four years, this bipartisan effort has been united in doing everything we can to bring FutureGen here, and we aren't going to stop until that happens."

"FutureGen is an effort to revolutionize power production," said Righter, R-Mattoon, another sponsor in the Senate. "It would protect our environment, make us less dependent on foreign oil and provide an important economic boost. We are going to continue doing everything we can to bring it to central Illinois, where it belongs."

"We must invest in the types of innovative, environmentally friendly technologies that rely on our homegrown resources," said Granberg, D-Carlyle, a House sponsor. "FutureGen will prove that Illinois coal must continue playing a vital role in our energy portfolio. This will make our country safer and more secure, in addition to creating good jobs and significant investment. We will continue to make our persuasive case about why this must happen in Illinois, and, just as importantly, it will focus national and global attention on central and southern Illinois."

"This bill will help bring the FutureGen Alliance and 1,300 construction jobs to my area and hundreds of permanent jobs once it is up and running," said Rose, R-Mahomet, another House sponsor. "The bill was crafted in a bipartisan, cooperative manner, and I look forward to continuing to work cooperatively with the governor, local officials and our congressional delegation to bring FutureGen to Illinois."

The governor previously committed a $17 million direct grant that tops off what is believed to be the nation's most aggressive investment package to bring FutureGen to Illinois. Local sponsors are providing the alliance with additional assistance that ranges from property tax abatements to site donations and land options for the facility and potential FutureGen-related businesses. Additional state support includes a sales tax exemption on building materials and selected equipment through local enterprise zones or the High Impact Business Program. There is also $50 million set aside by the Illinois Finance Authority for below-market-rate loans to the alliance.

[Text from file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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