Federal officials informed citizens of central Illinois on that the FutureGen 2.0 project would not be built.

Steven Chu, the U.S. Department of Energy secretary, and Sen. Dick Durbin announced that the plan to build a coal-fueled power plant would no longer be a possibility.

The plant was to be built in Mattoon, Ill., and would have brought jobs to the community and stimulated the economy.

Rep. Chapin Rose has stated his displeasure in the progress of FutureGen.

“People in Washington who have made this decision, apparently without even consulting the FutureGen 2.0 Alliance, and definitely without consulting the local community, need to come here and explain what’s going on and why,” said Rose in a public statement on Aug. 6.

Throughout the past four years, the budget for the project has slowly been increasing. In 2006, an estimated $1billion was to be spent for the construction of the plant. As of March 2009, the estimated cost had doubled to $2 billion.

The FutureGen 2.0 is “old news,” according to the Obama Administration and Durbin.

Instead, the revised plan is to use an already existing plant located in Meredosia, Ill., and use underground pipes to transfer carbon dioxide emissions from Meredosia to Mattoon, a distance of 175 miles.

The underground storage for the carbon dioxide emissions will then be used to benefit workers to become trained in cleaner coal methods for future facilities to be built in Illinois.

Many communities are confused about the decision and state officials have expressed their concern.

State Senator Dale Righter is among the many who have questioned the U.S. Departments of Energy’s decision.

“.True partners, working together for an outcome beneficial for all, do not hide information from each other for months, then make decisions without consulting others,” said Righter.

So what was FutureGen 2.0?

FutureGen 2.0 is a coal-fueled power plant that will generate electricity and hydrogen while producing little emissions into the atmosphere.

According to furturegenforillinois.com, the project will take a significant step in strengthening the United States’ ability to produce reliable energy, improve the environment and reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Mattoon was first chosen as one of four finalists, along with Tuscola, Ill. and two other cities in Texas.

Mattoon was chosen primarily for it being one of the nations largest suppliers in coal. Mattoon is also an interchange point for the railroads for both the eastern and western states.

Allison Twaits can be reached at 581-7942

or at [email protected]