Machine Giant, CAT, Joins World’s Leading Energy Companies in Support of FutureGen Clean-Coal Project

CHICAGO – February 8, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin today announced that Caterpillar, a global leader in the manufacturing of heavy machinery, will join the FutureGen Alliance. This is the second major new Alliance member signed up in just over a week. Caterpillar's move signals critical support ahead of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (USDOE) pending decision to move ahead on FutureGen construction.

“I welcome Caterpillar’s investment in FutureGen and in Illinois,” said Governor Quinn. “The company's support – just over a week after another major Illinois-based company, Exelon, signed on to the project – is a clear sign that momentum for this project is gaining. This shows that the private sector stands alongside my administration and our local partners to move quickly and effectively once we receive the final ‘go’ from USDOE.”

FutureGen is designed to be the cleanest coal-fueled power plant in the world. The 275 megawatt facility will convert coal into hydrogen and electricity, while capturing and safely storing the carbon dioxide in sandstone formations a mile beneath the site. It will lay the groundwork for developing similar plants around the country and the world, pioneering the capture, rather than release of greenhouse gases.

At a time of high unemployment, FutureGen also creates jobs and economic growth. Initial estimates state that 1,300 construction jobs and 150 permanent jobs would be created through FutureGen. In addition, a study conducted by Southern Illinois University showed that during the four-year construction period, there would also be 1,225 indirect and induced spin-off jobs created and more than $1 billion in economic impact statewide as a result of FutureGen.

"In just a little over a week, the FutureGen Alliance has added another strong partner with a deep connection to Illinois,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “Caterpillar will bring a great deal to the table as the FutureGen Alliance and the Department of Energy continue in the final stages of negotiations. I look forward to welcoming many new FutureGen Alliance members – from Illinois and around the world.”

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