By Mary Ellen Podmolik | Peoria-based Caterpillar Inc., said it would join the FutureGen
Alliance, a public-private partnership dedicated to constructing a
coal-fired, near-zero emissions power plant in downstate Mattoon.

The U.S. Department of Energy already has committed more than $1 billion in funding to the project, which will construct a power plant capable of powering about 150,000 homes. As designed, it would be the cleanest coal-burning plant in the world.

Other members of the non-profit alliance are American Electric Power, Anglo American, BHP Billiton, the China Huaneng Group, CONSOL Energy Inc., E.ON U.S., Foundation Coal, Rio Tinto Energy America, Peabody Energy, Southern Company, and Xstrata Coal.