News

2006 news releases

OAQDA Selects Global Engineering Firm to Analyze Ohio Sites
Being Considered for Federal FutureGen Project

(Columbus) The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority (OAQDA) today approved a grant to WorleyParsons, a global engineering firm with U.S. offices in Pennsylvania, to assist the state in determining the best Ohio site(s) for the FutureGen project, a $1 billion power plant which has been proposed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE).  The agreement is for an amount not to exceed $480,000.

FutureGen will be the nation’s first near-zero-pollution power plant.  The 275-megawatt plant will use coal as its fuel, produce hydrogen for use as a clean fuel source, and test the ability to store large amounts of carbon dioxide deep underground, rather than emitting it into the air.  A formal Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected from DOE in early 2006. 

OAQDA is leading the Ohio FutureGen Task Force, created to prepare Ohio’s response to the federal RFP.  More than 20 other states have expressed interest in FutureGen, which is expected to create 100 full-time research and facility jobs, an additional 1,000 construction jobs, and increased university research activities.  Eight Ohio counties – Athens, Carroll, Clermont, Coshocton, Hamilton, Meigs, Stark, and Tuscarawas – were selected by the Task Force as the best potential sites for FutureGen.

“Ohio enjoys numerous advantages in the coming competition for FutureGen.  We have the right type of coal, the right geology, and an established national and international reputation as a leader in clean-coal technology and research.  And Ohio is located in the heart of America’s industrial and electric power generation corridor,” said Mark R. Shanahan, OAQDA Executive Director.

Ohio’s interest in pursuing FutureGen is supported by Governor Bob Taft and by Ohio’s bi-partisan Congressional delegation.  Additionally, State Senator Joy Padgett (R-Coshocton) and State Representative Jimmy Stewart (R-Albany) introduced legislation before the Ohio General Assembly on December 1, 2005 to enhance Ohio’s desirability as the host state for FutureGen.

WorleyParsons is one of the world’s largest international engineering, design, and construction management organizations.  The firm has more than a century of experience in providing services for coal-fired power plants.  WorleyParsons also has specific expertise in the area of site assessment.

“WorleyParsons is an ideal choice for the task of helping us find the best site, or sites, in Ohio for FutureGen.  They understand how to identify, at a very early stage, any flaws that would deem a site as unsuitable for a project of this magnitude.  Their professional guidance will help assure we make the best possible decision for Ohio,” Shanahan said.

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The Ohio Air Quality Development Authority is a non-regulatory government agency created to help Ohio businesses comply with clean air regulations.  With the recent addition of the Ohio Coal Development Office, it also oversees the State of Ohio’s coal research, development, and technology deployment efforts.  Since its creation in 1970, the Authority has provided technical and financial help to hundreds of large and small Ohio businesses, awarding more than $4 billion to finance air quality projects.  For more information about OAQDA and its services, please visit its web site, at www.ohioairquality.org.