September 1, 2009
Mr. Paul Thompson
Chairman
The FutureGen Alliance
Dear Mr. Thompson:
I want to thank the FutureGen Alliance and your board members for meeting in Mattoon, Illinois this week. I would also like to congratulate the Alliance and the Department of Energy on the signing of the cooperative agreement. This board meeting and the cooperative agreement really mark the beginning of the next phase of the FutureGen project at Mattoon, Illinois.
With the Department of Energy filing the Record of Decision and restarting the contract, the Alliance can now turn its attention to the critical next phase of FutureGen. An aggressive timeline has been set by the Department of Energy for this important project. In the coming months, we anticipate the completion of all the necessary design and engineering components, as well as a solid cost analysis.
In addition, the Alliance and the Department will undertake an aggressive effort to increase the membership of the FutureGen Alliance. I look forward to working with all of you as you undertake these important efforts.
I continue to believe that we can address our nation’s energy needs in a cleaner more efficient way and that FutureGen is a critical component of how we can continue to use coal without causing more harm to the environment.
On a personal note, I thank you for your service as chairman of the FutureGen Alliance Board. Under your leadership, FutureGen at Mattoon, Illinois is closer than ever to reality.
I look forward to working with you and the Alliance to move FutureGen forward.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Durbin
U.S. Senator
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