For Release: Monday, February 2, 2006
Contact: David Gillies: 202-225-5661
              Steve Tomaszewski (Shimkus): (618) 344-3065       

COSTELLO, SHIMKUS MEET WITH NEW ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FOSSIL ENERGY REGARDING FUTUREGEN, SIUC

Washington - Congressmen Jerry Costello (D-IL) and John Shimkus (R-IL) met yesterday with Jeffrey Jarrett, the new Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy to discuss FutureGen and designating Southern Illinois University Carbondale as a "Center for Energy Excellence."  Jarrett took over the position in December and Costello and Shimkus wanted to quickly press the case for locating FutureGen in Illinois. 

"We had a very good meeting with Assistant Secretary Jarrett," said Costello.  "He comes from a coal background and will be a strong advocate for advancing clean coal technologies.  He was already aware of the leading role we and the state of Illinois have taken in the FutureGen project, and knows even more about our interest and efforts after our meeting."

"We take every opportunity available to promote Southern Illinois as the best geological location for the selection of the FutureGen site.  This is just another step in educating the decision makers about the natural resources and skilled labor we can offer," stated Shimkus.

Jarrett provided a timeline for FutureGen developments.  The draft request for site proposals will be issued in mid-February with the final request issued on March 7th and all proposals submitted by May 22.  The industrial alliance will announce final candidates on July 21, and the FutureGen site will be selected in late 2007. 

The legislators also discussed naming SIUC a "Center of Energy Excellence," a provision Costello authored in the Energy Bill that became law last year.  The designation would mean more clean coal research dollars for the university. 

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