Caterpillar joins backers of power plant project

MATTOON -- Backers of the planned experimental clean-coal power plant called FutureGen say the public-private venture envisioned for eastern Illinois has landed another corporate partner.

Gov. Pat Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin say Peoria-based Caterpillar is joining the FutureGen Alliance that's comprised largely of coal and power companies. Locally, Cat has operations in Montgomery.

The addition of the mining and construction equipment maker follows a recent decision by Chicago-based Exelon Corp. to join the alliance, which is intent on building the plant near Mattoon.

The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to let corporate sponsors of the project continue developing it, but final approval is expected this month. The department has said the developers need to find a way to cut costs and to bring in more partners.