Bill Signing Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Finalizes Year-Long Push for Clean

Bill Signing deduces Finalizes Year-Long american girl lyrics interprets Push for Clean Coal Portfolio Standard inIllinoisTenaska poised to be first electric generator to provide clean air benefitsrequired by new law.SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A major milestone in the nation'sdevelopment of environmentally responsible coal power plants was achieved inIllinois today with the signing into law of SB 1987, the Clean Coal PortfolioStandard Act.The new law creates a framework for developing coal gasification projects withcarbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage, requiring emissions from theseelectric generation facilities, including Tenaska's proposed TaylorvilleEnergy Center (TEC), to be as clean as natural gas generators.Like renewableelectric generation sources, TEC reduces emissions by displacing and reducingthe operation of generation facilities that have higher emissions.TEC hasthe added advantage of 24/7 operation, providing a benefit to air quality dayin and day out.In order to qualify as a clean coal facility under this legislation, a plantmust not only capture at least 50 percent of the total CO2 emissions but mustalso incorporate power generating equipment that limits regulated pollutants(such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulates andmercury) from combustion of the synthetically-produced feedstock to levelsthat are no higher than combined cycle, natural gas fired plants.In addition, the law requires electric utilities and other electric retailsuppliers in Illinois to purchase up to 5 percent of their electricity fromclean coal facilities.SB 1987 entitles one initial clean coal facility witha final air permit to 30-year purchase agreements for the sale of its output. TEC has a final air permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency,allowing it to become the "initial clean coal facility" under the legislation. Because power from TEC will be required continuously, it will consistently bereplacing power from higher emitting generators and providing significantreductions in greenhouse gases as well as regulated pollutants.During the 2008 presidential campaign, "clean coal" became a popular phrase asdevelopment of these projects was promised by both candidates.Yet, itsdefinition has been elusive.Home to the nation's second largest coalreserves, the State of Illinois is the first coal-producing state in thenation to set out an environmentally responsible definition of clean coal,according to Tenaska Vice President Bart Ford.Tenaska is the managingpartner of TEC."This legislation is a powerful step forward in thedevelopment of clean coal electricity generation in the U.S.," Ford said."Wenow have the momentum that we and the state need to get this vital projectbuilt and operational."John Thompson, director of the Coal Transition Project for the national CleanAir Task Force, added, "The Illinois legislation requires emissions fromcoal-fueled facilities to be at least as low as clean burning natural gaspower plants.This very tough standard should become the national model."Ford noted that the act increases the required CO2 capture-level to 70 percentfor facilities not scheduled to enter commercial operation until after 2015and to 90 percent for facilities not scheduled until after 2017.He said thatthe CO2 capture rate from TEC is expected to be in the 55 to 60 percent range.

"Basically, we will be capturing almost all of the CO2 and capturing oreliminating almost all of the other pollutants that are produced in theprocess necessary to turn coal into methane.This methane is identical tonatural gas, and so when it fuels TEC's efficient, combined-cycle block itproduces no more CO2 or other pollutants than a normal, highly efficientnatural gas plant.TEC's emission levels are expected to be much lower thanany other type of fossil fuel plant, including coal plants, oil plants, oldernatural gas plants and peaking natural gas plants."Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan led the effort, along with Tenaska, todevelop legislation that would be good for the economy, create thousands ofnew jobs, and provide significant protections to electric customers.Theseprotections include rate reviews by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissionand the Illinois Commerce Commission, as well as the need for final approvalby the Illinois General Assembly after preparation of a detailed facility costreport.The legislation also contains a benchmark of 2.015 percent as themaximum potential rate impact on electric utility customers, which could onlyoccur after the plant begins operations."This groundbreaking legislation will create jobs at Illinois clean coal andrenewable energy facilities, as well as in the coal industry," said Madigan . "It provides a unique opportunity for Illinois to become the national leaderin the effort to build the kind of green economy championed by President-electObama.To pass this bill, we brought together a remarkable coalition andworked hard to produce legislation that will benefit all Illinoisans," Madigansaid.The TEC project will be responsible for billions of dollars in economicdevelopment and create 1,500 jobs during construction, plus hundreds ofpermanent mining and power plant jobs, according to an economic impactanalysis by Northern Illinois University.The study also found that centralIllinois will experience a regional ripple effect from the project, creatinghundreds of new positions in other industries and securing the ability to usehigh-sulfur Illinois coal in an environmentally responsible way.The next step for the TEC project is the preparation of a detailed Front EndEngineering and Design (FEED) study and facility cost report.Then, in itsspring 2010 session, the Illinois General Assembly will review the FEED studyand, if accepted, grant final approval of power purchase agreements for TEC asmandated by law.Current estimates of construction costs are approximately $2.5 billion.TheAllowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and other costs that willaccrue during the four-year construction period bring the total estimatedcapital cost to $3.5 billion.No payments will be due under the powerpurchase agreement until the plant is completed.Completion is scheduled for2014.Among the members of the diverse coalition supporting this initiative areleaders of the Citizens Utility Board, Illinois AFL-CIO, American LungAssociation of Illinois, Illinois Coal Association and Clean Air Task Force.Major newspapers in the area editorialized in support of this project -including the St breakdown petty . Louis Post-Dispatch, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune,Daily Herald, Decatur Herald & Review and State Journal-Register - citing theproject's positive impact on electric rates and the importance of usingdomestic Illinois coal without the pollution created in conventional plants.Phil Gonet, president of the Illinois Coal Association, said Illinois is usingonly a small fraction of the more than 100 billion tons of recoverable coal inthe state."That's more energy in Illinois than all the oil in Saudi Arabiaand Kuwait.We see clean, coal gasification technology as the future ofeconomic development in our state and one of the nation's most important toolsfor addressing global warming concerns."About Christian County Generation, LLCChristian County Generation, LLC is a joint venture developing the TaylorvilleEnergy Center (TEC).TEC is the first clean coal power plant proposed for thestate.It will incorporate coal gasification, combined-cycle and CO2 captureand sequestration technology, making it among the mostenvironmentally-responsible, commercially-sized coal plants in the world.Theproject is a joint venture of Omaha-based independent power developer Tenaskaand Louisville, Ky.-based MDL Holding Co., LLC.About TenaskaTenaska is one of the largest privately-owned energy companies don t do me like that petty . Headquarteredin Omaha, Nebraska, it develops, constructs, owns and operates non-utilitygeneration and cogeneration plants free fallin . The company also markets natural gas,biofuels and electric power, and provides risk management services.Tenaskais involved in asset acquisition, fuel supply, natural gas exploration,production and transportation systems, and electric transmission development.Tenaska has developed approximately 9,000 megawatts (MW) of electricgenerating capacity across the United States.Tenaska's affiliates operateand manage eight power plants in six states totaling more than 6,700 MW ofgenerating capacity owned in partnership with other companies. Tenaska CapitalManagement, an affiliate, provides management services for standalone privateequity funds, with more than $3 billion in assets, including ten power plants(with approximately 6,000 MW of capacity), gas storage facilities, andtransmission infrastructure construction and maintenance operations.Tenaskais well underway in its development of two environmentally responsible,coal-fueled power plants.Taylorville Energy Center in Taylorville, Ill.,will incorporate coal gasification, combined-cycle and CO2 capture andsequestration technology, making it one of the first clean-coal,commercially-sized plants in the world.Trailblazer Energy Center in NolanCounty, Texas, would be the first conventional coal-fueled power plant in thenation to capture on a commercial scale up to 90 percent of the CO2 that wouldotherwise enter the atmosphere.In 2008, Tenaska was listed in benchmarkingstudies by the Natural Resources Defense Council as having the best fleet-widerecord in the United States for controlling emissions of CO2, nitrogen oxidesand sulfur dioxide.For more information about Tenaska, visit Hybrid Integrated Gasification Combined-Cycle (IGCC) process for theTaylorville Energy Center is available for viewing and downloading at, along with details on the project, the technologyand the law.

Permission to reproduce the illustration in news materials hasbeen granted by Tenaska.For additional information, please contact:--Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Deputy Press Secretary,NatalieBauer, (312) 814-3118, --John Thompson, director of the Coal Transition Project for thenationalClean Air Task Force, (618) 457-0137, cell (618) 203-6233,--Phil Gonet, president of the Illinois Coal Association, (217)528-2092,cell (217) 971-7766, --Dave Kolata, executive director of Citizens Utility Board, (312)263-4282, cell (312) 560-0929, --Beth Spencer, communications manager of AFL-CIO, (217) 544-4014, cell(217) 725-7424, --Kathy Drea, director of public policy for the American LungAssociationof Illinois,(800) 788-5864, cell (217) 971-7274, SOURCETenaska, Inc.Jana Martin of Tenaska, Inc., +1-402-691-9595, Cell, +1-402-203-0748,; or Linda Pavlik, +1-817-332-2972, Cell, +1-817-832-0420,, for Tenaska, Inc. . First and foremost, I am a Patriots fan and season ticket holder of 15 years free fallin petty . To say the least, I am a die hard Patriots, but I DO NOT HATE the Colts. I HATE the Steelers and Jets. I want to BEAT the Colts. There is a difference between hating a team and wanting to beat a team. If you hate a team you hate every player on the team and you hope they have a horrible season. They may trash talk you and never can back it up. Then there are teams you want to BEAT. They don’t trash talk and they back it up on the field. They are true professionals. You want them to be competitive, so you have to bring you’re A game to beat them. You don’t hate their players, you respect them. You have to beat the best to be the best. Because they are very similar to you. The Patriots and Colts are carbon copies. Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Great receivers. Great coaching. Lombardi Trophy (Colts-1) or Trophies (Patriots-3). They have been amongst the NFL elite over the last 10 years. They are what the other 30 NFL franchises want to be. They have to BEAT the other to achieve their championship goals. If they don’t play each other in the playoffs and/or the regular season, it just isn’t the same. Football fans and sports fans in general are cheated. When the Colts and Patriots play, as Tedy Bruschi would say, “Its Full Tilt free falling petty . Full Time.”Every New England and Indy fan, player, coach, and team executive get up for this game like no other. The cities could be invaded by alien life and no one would know (or care). Everyone is in front of a TV in their favorite pub or amongst their friends in front of a spread of food and tasty beverages. It’s Red Sox-Yankees. It’s Rocky Balboa-Clubber Lang. It’s Celtics-Lakers. It’s Bird-Magic. The games between these two teams become instant classics as soon as the game clock expires. Here are some of the epic games between the best of the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots.  November 30, 2003-Indianapolis, IN The Patriots and Colts were both steamrolling their opponents and both stood at 9-2 before their clash . The winner of this game would probably have home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. The stakes were very high. Both teams would have to bring their best game and they did. The Patriots jumped all over the Colts and had a 31-10 lead early in the third quarter. Game Over? Not even close. Peyton Manning led his team back tying up the game 31-31. I remember watching this game at my friends house and seeing the Patriots melt away in the RCA Dome. Brady answered Manning with a strike to Deion Branch to give the Pats a 38-31 lead. The Colts cut the lead 38-34 and then got the ball late in the game. The pit in my stomach was the size of a sinkhole and antacid was flowing like a fine wine. The Colts had the ball at the goal line and had not one, not two, not three, but four chances to punch it in. No brainer right? Patriots lose. Not if the Patriots defense had anything to do with it. I was sitting on the edge of my seat and praying if I remember correctly. James run. Stop. James Run. Stop. ManningPass. Incomplete. James Run. Willie McGinest races around his blocker and nails James in the backfield. Game Over. Patriots 38 Colts 34 Patriots players sprinting down the field in jubilation. My friend’s house covered in nacho cheese and Sam Adams beer. Hands down one of the best football games ever. The Patriots would go on to beat the Colts in the AFC Championship, 24-14 in snowy Foxboro. The Patriots beat the best twice to be the best and capture their second Lombardi Trophy.  January 21, 2007-Indianapolis, IN AFC Championship Guess who? You guessed it. Patriots-Colts for all the AFC marbles. My friends and I just witnessed the Patriots steal a win in San Diego. All thanks to Troy Brown’s strip and the “magic cookie.” Magic cookie, you ask? We saved one chocolate chip cookie from being devoured during the game versus the Chargers. Ever since the cookie was spared from certain digestion, the Patriots played well and won. The cookie was frozen and thawed for the Patriots-Colts playoff tilt. The game could not have started out any better for Patriots fans. Asante Samuel picked off Manning and brought it to the house. Patriots 21 Colts 3 The Colts just seemed like they could not beat the Patriots in the playoffs. They had a better team. Better receivers compared to the pile of spare parts Brady threw to. Manning and the Colts seemed beat. The RCA dome was deflating in front of my eyes and I LOVED it. The Colts got an Adam Vinatieri (traitor!) field goal before the half to cut the lead, 21-10. Insignificant right? Not quite. Then the jinx happened. This girl named Lisa from Chicago called and said “Looks like Bears-Patriots in the Bowl!” The kiss of death. The bamboo under the fingernails. The “magic cookie” began to melt. The Colts seemed rejuvenated and the Patriots seemed fatigued. Both teams exchanged blows like two prize fighters. The exhausted Patriots even had a 34-31 lead late in the game. However, as a Boston fan, this game felt like Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Something bad was going to happen and it did. Manning led his team down the field and Joseph Addai scored to give the Colts a 38-34 lead (sound familiar from previous recap?). Brady got the ball back but he threw a un-Brady like pick. Game Over. “Magic Cookie” smashed and tossed out the window. Lisa from Chicago’s jinx burning in my head. I said goodbye to no one. I walked out and left. There was traffic at 930pm on back roads. It seemed that everyone left at the same time after seeing their favorite football team wilt and die. The Colts made the adjustments and had superior personnel. They deserved to win. However, if the Patriots could have held on, there is no doubt they would have beat the Bad News Bears. The sisters of the poor could have beat Chicago that year.  The Patriots and Colts have had epic battles. You remember who you were with. Where you were. And how you felt. Isn’t that what sports is all about? Cheering on your team. Building and sharing memories. Tipping your hat to the victor. You only tip your hat to teams you respect not teams you hate. Tip of the cap to the Colts. Can’t wait for the Patriots to beat you Sunday night!  Re-live some of the Patriots-Colts Memories:The Goal Line Stand from 2003Patriots Stand Up to ColtsColts beat Demons and Patriots from 2007Colts Beat Patriots To Reach Superbowl  Joe Gill is a featured blogger for Boston Sports Then and Now, Rootzoo and Trufan  .