FutureGen Alliance Names New Chief Executive Officer

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The FutureGen Alliance Board of Directors has appointed Kenneth K. Humphreys as its new Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Michael J. Mudd, who recently announced his retirement. Mr. Humphreys will lead the Alliance as it restructures its partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the State of Illinois to help build the world's first near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. 

"We greatly appreciate the contribution that Mike Mudd made to the organization and wish him well.  As the Alliance moves in a new direction, Ken's talents will be vital to our success.  It is absolutely essential that the world develop technology-based solutions that can enable the continued use of coal and cost-effectively reduce CO(2) emissions. FutureGen 2.0 will help us do that," said Steven Winberg, chairman of the FutureGen Alliance Board of Directors.  

Mr. Humphreys has been involved with the Alliance since its formation and most recently served as its Managing Director. He has spent the last twenty years working in the energy sector on both public- and private-sector ventures. During that time he has become a recognized expert in carbon capture and CO(2) storage. Winberg said Humphreys' professional experience aligns well with the needs of the project. 

Humphreys said: "FutureGen remains the world's best opportunity for U.S. and global companies to engage in a public-private partnership that will develop near-zero emissions electricity generation and CCS technology.  I am looking forward to the new role and the opportunity to work with the U.S. Department of Energy and industry to advance these technologies."

In announcing his retirement, Mudd stated that FutureGen's new direction provides him with the opportunity to pursue other ventures. "DOE has proposed taking FutureGen in a new direction, and under the restructured program the Alliance's focus will be more toward CO(2) transport and storage and place the primary responsibility for the power plant under the leadership of a major utility. DOE's new direction is meritorious, and this change in direction makes it the right time for me to pursue new ventures. It has been an honor to lead the Alliance, and I am proud of our many accomplishments during the past five years."

DOE's new FutureGen 2.0 is the first large-scale oxy-combustion repowering project in the world, and will create the first regional CO(2) storage repository in the U.S. with a pipeline infrastructure that will serve as a hub. "This project will position the U.S. as a technological leader in the development of CCS technology, and with Ken's leadership I am confident that we can succeed," said Winberg.  

SOURCE FutureGen Alliance