Why Illinois?

**NEW**
Click Here to View Summary of New Geophysical Study for Mattoon, IL

Illinois is perfectly equipped to build and house the revolutionary FutureGen project. The state has the ideal geological strata for FutureGen. It has abundant reserves of high-energy bituminous coal. It is home to some of the world's leading academic and research centers. Illinois has a strong transportation infrastructure. The state legislature has offered attractive investment incentives. And perhaps most importantly, there is enthusiastic community support in both Mattoon and Tuscola. FutureGen will thrive in Illinois.

Science On Our Side

Illinois has the ideal geological conditions necessary for the storage of carbon dioxide, enhanced oil recovery and coal bed methane extraction.

Also, Illinois is a global research and technology center, boasting top-tier research institutions and universities, as well as one of the largest state-sponsored coal research and development programs in the United States. The program is administered by the Office of Coal Development and is under the technical oversight of the Illinois Clean Coal Institute.

Vast Coal Supply

Illinois is home to one of the nation’s largest supplies of high-energy bituminous coal. Recoverable reserves in Illinois represent almost one-eighth of the total U.S. coal reserves and one-quarter of the nation’s bituminous coal reserves.

Strong Transportation Infrastructure

Centered in the middle of the Midwest, Illinois is a significant interchange point among railroads serving either eastern or western states, with Chicago and East St. Louis being principle rail gateways. With 7,292 miles of rail network, Illinois is the center of the nation’s rail system.

Strong Public Support

Communities throughout the state have been supporting the coal industry for more than 100 years. With broad support from the people of Mattoon and Tuscola, the Illinois Congressional Delegation, the Illinois General Assembly, other local partners and the states of Indiana and Kentucky, Illinois provides the kind of broad community support that is necessary for the project to be successful. Leadership in the business, labor, environmental and civic communities are united and working hard to bring FutureGen to Illinois.

The state legislature has offered numerous financial incentives for siting FutureGen in Illinois, including:

$17 million direct cash grant from clean-coal technology fund
Up to $50 million in reduced-interest loans
Sales tax exemptions and business tax credits
Public improvement funding
Reimbursement for employee training costs