Gov. Rendell this week announced his support to bring FutureGen, a $1.4 billion, coal-to-energy, state-of-the-art facility, to Illinois in a letter to the FutureGen Industrial Alliance that is developing the facility for the U.S. Department of Energy.

"On behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I wish to offer our support to the USDOE's FutureGen project and its siting in Illinois," said Gov. Rendell. "Illinois offers the right mix of geology, expertise, transportation infrastructure, as well as the state and community support, which is necessary for a project of this magnitude. Illinois' natural characteristics are more common with other coal producing states like Pennsylvania that will look to replicate the technologies demonstrated by the FutureGen project. It is critical that FutureGen is successful, and we believe that the State of Illinois and their sites offer the FutureGen Industrial Alliance the best chance for success in the future."

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.

FutureGen 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.

Link: Pennsylvania Endorses Illinois’ Bid for FutureGen

PPL Joins FutureGen Alliance to Advance Clean Coal Power Plants

Rendell Partners with Kentucky, Ohio to Attract FutureGen Plant

10/12/2007