Statement of Howard A. Learner on FutureGen Site Announcement

STATEMENT OF HOWARD A. LEARNER
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW & POLICY CENTER
FUTUREGEN SITE ANNOUNCEMENT

CHICAGO, IL - Illinois scored a major victory with today's announcement that Mattoon, Illinois has been selected as the first site for the experimental FutureGen "clean coal" plant. It is designed to test an innovative carbon capture and sequestration approach to burn coal without emitting carbon dioxide pollution into the atmosphere.

"Illinois is now positioned to be an advanced clean energy technology leader. The proposed FutureGen technology, if it works, is the Holy Grail enabling the economic boost from using Illinois coal while avoiding global warming pollution that harms our environment," said Howard A. Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. "We look forward to continuing to work as a member of the FutureGen coalition to help this project succeed."

The FutureGen plant is expected to begin operation in the fall of 2012.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) is the Midwest's leading environmental, legal advocacy and eco-innovation organization. For more information go to www.elpc.org.

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