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Caterpillar Inc. announces its intent to join the FutureGen Alliance, a public-private partnership established to build a first-of-its-kind coal-fired, near-zero emissions power plant in Mattoon, IL. The FutureGen facility is designed to be the cleanest coal burning plant in the world and will integrate advanced technologies for coal gasification, electricity production, emissions control, carbon dioxide capture and permanent storage and hydrogen production on a commercial scale.

Caterpillar has long been committed to technologies and policies that slow, stop and reverse the growth of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. Joining the FutureGen Alliance further solidifies the company's global effort to promote sustainable development and reduce carbon emissions.

"Clean-coal plays a critical role in our energy supply, energy security and environmental protection," says Caterpillar Vice Chairman, Doug Oberhelman. "The FutureGen project will demonstrate carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies that are absolutely essential for the world to realize reductions in GHG emissions. This alliance recognizes the global nature of climate and energy challenges and will provide domestic and international communities the ground breaking technologies to assist in the shared goal of reducing GHG emissions." The FutureGen plant is a 275-megawatt integrated gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power plant. It will be capable of powering about 150,000 homes. The United States Department of Energy will provide more than $1 billion in funding to the project.

"In just a little over a week, the FutureGen Alliance has added another strong partner with a deep connection to Illinois," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "Caterpillar will bring a great deal to the table as the FutureGen Alliance and the Department of Energy continue in the final stages of negotiations. I look forward to welcoming many new FutureGen Alliance members - from Illinois and around the world."