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Statement of Taylorville Energy Center Developer on Passage of SB 1987

Posted on: Wednesday, 16 July 2008, 18:00 CDT

The Illinois House today passed SB 1987, the Clean Coal Portfolio Standard legislation, which opens the door to building the Taylorville Energy Center. The legislation, approved by a vote of 86-5, should help advance development of this 525 megawatt clean coal power generation facility.

In response, Bart Ford, vice president for business development at project managing partner Tenaska, issued the following statement:

"The Taylorville Energy Center will be a groundbreaking project that uses cutting-edge gasification technology to convert high sulfur Illinois coal into substitute natural gas (SNG) and then generates both electricity and pipeline quality SNG. What makes the project extraordinary is that it will capture more than 50 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions from the plant while simultaneously helping to hold the line on energy prices. This will be the first project of its kind to capture such a high percentage of carbon emissions. The plant will be privately financed, create 1,500 union construction jobs and employ hundreds of people at the plant, at a nearby coal mine and in the surrounding area.

"The innovative design of Taylorville, and the Power Holdings coal-to-SNG project in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, should help revitalize the Illinois coal industry, developing our natural resources while protecting the environment. In addition to all the other benefits of this project, the biggest winner is the Illinois consumer. The Taylorville Energy Center will help hold the line on energy prices by increasing the supply of baseload power from low-cost local fuel sources such as coal.

"This legislation presented several complex issues and required extensive compromise. We want to thank the staffs of Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Speaker Michael Madigan for their hard work. Additionally, we want to commend House sponsor Rep. Gary Hannig (D-Litchfield), Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth), and Rep. Bob Flider (D-Decatur) for their leadership. This bill is an important step on the road to building this project. With the continued leadership of Senate sponsor Sen. Deanna Demuzio (D- Carlinville) and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Frank Watson (R- Decatur), we look to pass the bill in the Senate, move to the design phase and then come back to the General Assembly for final approval."

For more information, please consult www.cleancoalillinois.com

Source: Business Wire

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