FutureGen Alliance Taps Washington Group International for New 'Clean Coal' Project

Energy Resource, June 12, 2007

ENERGY RESOURCE-12 June 2007-FutureGen Alliance Taps Washington Group International for New 'Clean Coal' Project(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

Washington Group International has been selected by the FutureGen Industrial Alliance to provide architectural, design, and engineering support services for the FutureGen initiative, a public-private partnership to develop and build a first-of-its-kind, coal-fueled, near-zero emissions electric power plant.

The prototype project, estimated in excess of $1 billion, will also be the world's first integrated carbon sequestration and hydrogen gas production research power plant. The initial technology selection, design, and engineering work is scheduled for completion in March 2008.

The approximate 275-megawatt Integrated (coal) Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant will use advanced technologies to generate electricity while capturing and permanently storing carbon dioxide deep underground, according to Washington Group. The project will convert a variety of coal types to hydrogen gas for power generation and other potential industrial uses.

The project includes development of a large-scale engineering laboratory and research platform for evaluating and testing new technologies for the conversion of coal to fuel gases, for the capture of carbon dioxide, and for the clean production of power.

As the engineering and construction management provider, Washington Group International will assist the Alliance in the evaluation and selection of technologies for coal gasification and for gas and power generation, as well as integrate the selected technologies and packages for the processes across the facility.

"The FutureGen initiative tackles some of the most pressing issues in the energy industry today -- the use of our abundant coal resources, the control of greenhouse gases, and the development of new, clean, and reliable energy sources," said Stephen M. Johnson, Washington Group International's senior executive vice president and executive sponsor for this project. "Washington Group International's expertise in energy and industrial processes spans the needs of this showcase program, and we have committed some of our best talent to help develop a project that is extremely important to the United States and to the industrialized world."

"The FutureGen project is complex, incorporates a significant amount of first-of-a-kind technology, and is both cost- and schedule-sensitive," said Jerry J. Oliver, the FutureGen Industrial Alliance's senior vice president for project development. "To be successful, we needed a strong team with a broad level of capability. I am very pleased with both the outstanding team provided and with the willingness of Washington Group International to work closely with the Alliance as we move quickly forward."

The FutureGen Industrial Alliance is a non-profit industrial consortium representing the coal and power industries that is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy to design and build the prototype facility.

For more information, visit www.wgint.com.

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