Say Goodbye to the First Near-Zero Emissions Coal-Fueled Power Plant

FutureGen would have been a technological advance like no other. Designed as a first-of-its-kind, near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant, the Department of Energy (DOE) has decided to cut funding to the power plant. The FutureGen 2.0 Project, born out of a partnership between The Alliance and the DOE in 2009, was scheduled to be completed by September 2015. The development and operation of FutureGen 2.0 was to instigate economic development in the U.S., and serve as a model for similar plants that will simultaneously reduce CO2 emission rates—through underground injection of CO2— and fuel the world’s growing economy. After 10 years of on again and off again development, FutureGen Alliance CEO Ken Humphreys announced yesterday that that due to setbacks regarding permits, testing and building time,  the DOE has decided to halt funding.  DOE had originally pledged $1 billion to complete the $1.65 billion initiative. Of the original amount awarded to the project, DOE claims that approximately$116.5 million was invested for work on the power plant since 2010.   The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity criticized the move and longtime supporter of FutureGen, Illinois’ Senator Dick Durbin, publicized his disappointment but he is “hopeful that Illinois will continue to play integral role in developing this technology” so that Illinois can stay on track to becoming a bellwether of sustainable energy.   Check out how the power plant was intended to work.     Stephanie Toft, Intern