The federal government has revised plans for the FutureGen program once again. FutureGen was once imagined as a new, futuristic power plant that would utilize state-of-the-art Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle technology that would capture and store carbon dioxide underground (commonly known as carbon sequestration). The power plant was supposed to be built in Mattoon, Illinois.
Now, according to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, a new power plant will not be built. Instead, “an idle coal-fired power plant in Meredosia owned by Ameren Corp. will be retrofitted with advanced technology to dramatically cut emissions of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. . . . A first-of-its-kind carbon-dioxide transportation pipeline will be built from the Meredosia facility to Mattoon for sequestration. The communities are 150 miles apart.” The article states that $1 billion in stimulus money will be used to help finance the project.
This sounds like a good compromise that should result in less money being spent, but, at the same time, allow the use of this cutting-edge technology. This should be a “win-win” for the people of the State of Illinois.
Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.
