Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Timothy V. Johnson today released a letter he is sending to Department of Energy Secretary Stephen Chu calling on the DOE to release its Record of Decision on FutureGen, along with $1 billion in Fossil Energy Research funding contained in the President’s stimulus package.
            Rep. Johnson was joined by other members of the delegation in the letter, including Reps. John Shimkus and Jerry Costello, longtime supporters of FutureGen.
            “Because of the ineptitude of the previous energy administration, this project has hung in limbo for more than a year,” Rep. Johnson said. “It’s long past time to get this train out of the station. It was the right thing to do when I and Reps. Shimkus and Costello first began arguing for it in 2003 and it’s even more right now.
            “I have met with Secretary Chu and believe him to be a man of high integrity and intellect. This letter is a way of reminding him of the importance of FutureGen to the cause of clean energy, energy independence and job creation,” Rep. Johnson said.
            The letter states in part:
            “With the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 now enacted into law, we recommend that DOE direct funds towards FutureGen because of the positive effects it will have on the economy.  While not specifically mentioned in the stimulus package, it is our understanding that DOE could fund FutureGen at $1 billion under DOE’s ‘fossil energy research and development programs.’  We believe FutureGen would make exceptional use of these funds.
            “In addition, we also ask that you quickly release the Record of Decision for FutureGen.  A tremendous and significant amount of work and resources have gone into making this project a reality.  With an Environmental Impact Study already complete and a site already selected, FutureGen is five years ahead of any comparable project.  We cannot further delay on this promising technology and releasing the Record of Decision is a necessary step in propelling the project towards construction. 
            “As DOE and the administration make decisions on where the stimulus funding should be distributed, we urge you to include FutureGen funding in Mattoon, Illinois.  By directing $1 billion in fossil energy research towards FutureGen under the stimulus and releasing the Record of Decision DOE can help create jobs and bring this important technology to fruition.”

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