02.28.11

Durbin and Quinn Statement on Announcement that Morgan County Will Host FutureGen 2.0

Announcement brings thousands of jobs and $1 billion in federal investment to Central Illinois

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Illinois Governor Pat Quinn today made the following statement after the FutureGen Alliance announced that Morgan County has been chosen to host the FutureGen 2.0 carbon dioxide (CO2) storage site, visitor center, research, and training facilities. The FutureGen 2.0 project and pipeline network is expected to bring 1,000 jobs to downstate Illinois and another 1,000 jobs for suppliers across the state. 
 
“Bringing together all the components of FutureGen 2.0 will be a boost for Morgan County and result in thousands of good-paying jobs,” said Durbin.  “As host of the storage site, Morgan County will be on the map as a leader in clean coal research and technology attracting visitors from around the world.  This $1 billion federal investment in Central Illinois will bring with it millions more in private investment.  I am glad that FutureGen 2.0 remains on track and could break ground as soon as next year.”
 
"FutureGen 2.0 will ensure that Illinois continues to lead the nation and world in the development of clean energy, and today’s announcement represents a major step towards completing this historic project,” said Governor Quinn. “I congratulate Morgan County on being selected as the host community for the FutureGen 2.0 carbon storage facility. While only one Illinois location could be selected today, the entire state will benefit from the major federal investment and jobs that will be generated by this cutting-edge project.”
 
After dozens of communities expressed interest in hosting a site for the storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) collected at an Ameren Energy Resources power plant in Meredosia, Illinois, the FutureGen Industrial Alliance announced the details of a selection process. On November 16, the Alliance announced that six qualifying communities had submitted full proposals and later narrowed the field to four communities – Christian County, Douglas County, Fayette County and Morgan County.
 
The Alliance will now begin prepare detailed environmental and technical information for the selected site that will be provided to the Department of Energy for the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.  Earlier this year, the Department of Energy signed final cooperative agreements with the FutureGen Industrial Alliance and Ameren Energy Resources.  These agreements formally committed $1 billion in Recovery Act funding to build FutureGen 2.0 in Illinois.