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Bush Administration announces initiative to develop zero-emissions “clean coal” power plant. The plant would burn coal to produce hydrogen and electricity while capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for storage underground.

Estimated cost: $1 billion

The FutureGen Industrial Alliance, a coalition of power produces from around the world, is formed in support of the project.

The Department of Energy (DOE) and FutureGen Industrial Alliance sign agreement to develop plant.

• Phase 1 Begins: Planning and Site Selection

April 2006: Six states compete for location of FutureGen power plant and sequestration site.

Illinois State Legislature approve $80 million tax incentive package to lure FutureGen to Illinois.

Mattoon, Illinois chosen as FutureGen power plant and sequestration site.

Estimated cost: $1.3 Billion

January 2008: DOE announces the cancellation of funds for FutureGen—effectively cancelling the FutureGen project.

• • • • Estimated Cost: $1.8 Billion

June 2009: Obama administration revives FutureGen with $1 billion from American Recovery Act.

• • • • Estimated Cost: $2.4 Billion

February/March 2009: Government Accountability Office warns against rising costs and overall cost-effectiveness of the project.

August 2010: The DOE cancels support for construction of new plant in Mattoon, IL. Instead, it will award $1 billion to retrofit a 64-year-old oil-burning power plant in Meredosia, IL. Plant will now use “oxy-combustion” technology instead of coal-to-gas technology.

• • • • FutureGen project renamed “FutureGen 2.0”
      • Estimated cost: $1.4 Billion

August 2010: Mattoon officials reject revised plan to pipe CO2 from Meredosia plant to Mattoon for underground storage.

• • • • Neither power plant nor sequestration site will be located in Mattoon, IL.

February 2011: Morgan County, IL is selected to as new sequestration site to store CO2 underground.

August 23rd 2011: Illinois State Legislature approves “CO2 Transportation and Sequestration Act” to allow pipeline construction and operation.

October 3rd 2011: Ameren announces it will close down Meredosia power plant and pull out of FutureGen.

October 13th 2011: FutureGen Industrial Alliance announces the retrofit of the oxy-combustion coal fueled power plant is on schedule and test drilling has commenced in Morgan County.

November 2011: Ameren and FutureGen Industrial Alliance are in talks to buy the Meredosia power plant and transfer stimulus funds awarded for the retrofit of the power plant.

• • • • Estimated Cost: $1.65 Billion

To view a our factsheet on FutureGen, click here.

For more information, please contact Autumn Hanna at (202) 546-8500 x112 or autumn[at]taxpayer.net.