Illinois Republicans blast FutureGen announcement

US Reps. Aaron Schock (left) and Rodney Davis say the Obama administration has wasted millions of dollars on the FutureGen project by not following through with it. (WJBC file photo)

By Metro News Service 

WASHINGTON – More reaction is coming in from Illinois' Congressional delegation regarding the Department of Energy's announcement that it's suspending federal funding for the FutureGen clean coal energy project.

In a statement, U.S. Representatives Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) and Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) criticized the Obama administration for "wasting millions of dollars" in stimulus funds.

U.S. Rep. John Shimkus (R-Collinsville) said compliance with the EPA's rules on carbon emissions hinge on the adoption of carbon capture and sequestration projects like FutureGen.

FutureGen would have stored liquefied carbon dioxide more than a mile underground in Morgan County through a pipeline originating at a Meredosia power plant.

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