Download: FutureGen Project - Timeline (pdf)
February 2003: 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
April 2003: The FutureGen Industrial Alliance, a coalition of power produces from around the world, is formed in support of the project.
December 2005: 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.
July 2007: Illinois State Legislature approve $80 million tax incentive package to lure FutureGen to Illinois.
December 2007: 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.
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