by Christi Parsons
UPDATED
Illinois will soon be home to a new $1.5 billion coal generation plant, officials announced this morning.
The plant in downstate Mattoon will be a joint venture between the U.S. Department of Energy and the FutureGen Alliance, a non-profit consortium of coal producers and energy generators.
Illinois' congressional delegation has been trying since 2003 to persuade officials to choose Illinois for the plant, which promises a significant boost for the state economy and for the state's coal industry.
Sen. Dick Durbin, a leading champion of the project, was all over the announcement this morning.
"Downstate Illinois has the coal, the geology and the commitment needed to make this project a success," Durbin said in a press release that came out seconds after the announcement was made. "The success today is a tribute to the community, the state and all those who worked so hard to secure the FutureGen project for Illinois."
It doesn't hurt the politicians who fought for it any, either. The plant will be in Rep. Tim Johnson's downstate district. It was also a high priority for Reps. John Shimkus and Jerry Costello.
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Comments
Congratulations Illinois! Now we have to make it work.
Posted by: Bryan Trail | December 18, 2007 10:20 AM
Wow. They left more than a half billion on the table not going to Texas. I'm surprised.
Posted by: Bobby | December 18, 2007 10:20 AM
Gonna be a bunch of long faces in Odessa, Texas today.
Posted by: Tammie | December 18, 2007 10:36 AM
Thank you Sen.Durbin for bringing home another win for the people of Illinois.
Obviously you had greater skills then the two wing nut Senators from Texas.
Isn't this great for Illinois Jerry?
Posted by: Raving Loon | December 18, 2007 11:18 AM
Coal?!
Have you heard about Global Warming, senator? It's been all over the TV and newspapers lately.
Posted by: MJ | December 18, 2007 12:36 PM
I'm sure he has. The FutureGen plant is a prototype near-zero emissions plant. Research there will go a long way towards combating global warming.
Posted by: James | December 18, 2007 4:36 PM
Crazy Duck,
On gee, Illinois won a gov't handout, let the celebration begin.
Posted by: Terry | December 19, 2007 6:45 AM
James,
Prototypes and theories often sound good at first blush but turn out to be bad. Witness hydrogen power, nuclear fusion or corn-based ethanol. All are highly touted alternatives that are either wholly impractical or environmental disasters.
Consider: what are the environmental ramifications and energy expenditures involved with extracting the coal? And should we not be trying to move away from finite fossil energy sources?
If Durbin (or any pol) were a driving force behind R&D for geothermal, wind or solar power I'd have some respect for him. As it is he's just another hack bringing home the pork.
Posted by: MJ | December 19, 2007 7:07 AM
Isn't it funny how the coal industry realized recently that if they spent less money on lobbyists who try and resist government regulations to tighten pollution restrictions and instead put that money to invest in cleaner technologies, everyone wins?
Posted by: jethro | December 19, 2007 9:41 AM