Energy Dept. Pulls Support for FutureGen
By JIM SUHR – 1 hour ago
ap.google.com
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The Energy Department, frustrated by ballooning costs of an ambitious quest to build a virtually emissions-free power plant, told federal lawmakers Tuesday it plans to pull its support for a $1.8 billion project developers want to build in Illinois, lawmakers said.
The Department of Energy would not publicly divulge its intentions about FutureGen or discuss what was said during the private meeting with lawmakers, saying only that it planned an announcement within days.
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Plug pulled on FutureGen
Durbin promises to continue fight
Jan 29, 2008 @ 03:22 PM
By BRUCE RUSHTON
GateHouse News Service
SPRINGFIELD -
galesburg.com
The U.S. Department of Energy is pulling support for FutureGen, a $1.75 billion coal-fired power plant that was planned for Mattoon.
The federal government was supposed to pay 75 percent of the project's cost, but DOE has proven reluctant as costs mushroomed for the project, which is aimed at proving that coal can generate power while creating minimal pollution.
The project was supposed to cost $950 million when President Bush announced it in 2003. A consortium of private power companies that was supposed to pay 25 percent recently offered to cap DOE's share at $800 million -- the amount called for in original plans.
But DOE secretary Samuel Bodman reiterated criticism of the project during a meeting this morning with Illinois lawmakers, saying the department will pursue alternatives, said Joe Shoemaker, spokesman for U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Durbin sounded livid after the meeting.
“After our meeting today, it is clear that the Secretary of Energy Sam Bodman has misled the people of Illinois, creating false hope in a FutureGen project which he has no intention of funding or supporting,” Durbin said in a written statement. “When the City of Mattoon was chosen over possible locations in Texas, the Secretary of Energy set out to kill FutureGen.”
Durbin vowed to continue the campaign to bring FutureGen to Illinois, saying the state's congressional delegation will appeal directly to President Bush.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2008
Statement from Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich
On the Department of Energy’s plans to dismantle FutureGen
illinois.gov
CHICAGO – “The U.S. Secretary of Energy’s proposal to dismantle FutureGen is an example of politics at its worst. Secretary Samuel Bodman is not only jeopardizing the benefits FutureGen promises to deliver, but he deceived the people of East Central Illinois who spent time and resources competing for the project. We’re not giving up the fight to make FutureGen a reality in Illinois.
“After an almost five-year long, rigorous site review process, the FutureGen Alliance announced on December 18th that Mattoon, Illinois will be home to the landmark project. On November 30th, 2007, the Department of Energy sent a letter reaffirming that the project was moving forward as planned. Only after it became clear that an Illinois site would be chosen over a Texas site, the Department suggested the project be delayed and now today, that it be dismantled.
“Just last night during his State of the Union Address, President Bush said that environmentally responsible energy is essential to keeping our economy growing, and that his budget provides strong funding for leading-edge technology, including clean coal. Secretary Bodman’s decision to reverse course on the most important clean coal project to date represents a striking contradiction to the President’s comments. I urge President Bush, who initiated FutureGen in 2003, to stand by the project and move it forward.
“And while we seek clarification from the Bush administration on its commitment to clean coal, it’s also critical to know where the candidates vying to replace President Bush stand when it comes to supporting FutureGen. I am asking all the individuals running for President to let Illinois voters know where they stand before voters cast their ballots on February 5th.” |
