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30 January 2008 -- Citing rising costs and technological advances since the project was first announced in December 2003, U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman announced a restructured approach to the FutureGen project. DOE said it now will build commercial-scale integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants by providing funding for the addition of carbon capture and storage (CCS) to multiple plants that will be operational by 2015.
The DOE issued a request for information (RFI) that seeks industry's input by March 3, on the costs and feasibility associated with building multiple clean coal facilities that achieve the intended goals of FutureGen. Mattoon, Ill., along with the three other finalist sites evaluated in the Department's Environmental Impact Statement issued in November 2007, are eligible to host a commercial-scale IGCC plant with CCS technology.
The DOE said the new approach to the project builds on advancements in technology made since 2003 and allows for electricity to be produced and greenhouse gas emissions sequestered at a rate and scale that offers tremendous potential for commercial viability.
More than one site may be selected as a host for the commercial demonstration of CCS technology and DOE encourages applicants to include those four sites, including Mattoon, in their consideration for this restructured approach. The FutureGen Alliance, a non-profit consortium of 13 energy companies that includes St. Louis-based Peabody Energy, may compete with other applicants for the new plants, the DOE said.
DOE Deputy Secretary Clay Sell said that original cost estimates of the project had nearly doubled to $1.8 billion with more increases on the way if the project moved forward.
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