HR0843

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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Because biodiesel fuel is made in the United 
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States from renewable resources, such as soybeans, its use 
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decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to the 
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growth of our economy; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Biodiesel fuel is better for the environment than 
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petroleum diesel because biodiesel  generates fewer emissions 
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than petroleum diesel; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Over 170 companies have invested millions of 
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dollars in the development of biodiesel manufacturing plants in 
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the United States and are actively marketing biodiesel; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The production capacity of these plants is 
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approximately 2.7 billion gallons of biodiesel per year; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The federal government has offered biodiesel tax 
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incentives, including an income tax credit, a blenders' excise 
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tax credit, and a small producers' tax credit; and

 
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    WHEREAS, The federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act 
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of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) extended certain biodiesel tax 
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incentives for one year; and

 
 


 






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    WHEREAS, These federal biodiesel tax incentives  expired on 
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December 31, 2009 but should be extended in order to continue 
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to promote the development, production, and use of biodiesel 
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fuel; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Only about 15% of the nation's biodiesel plants 
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were in operation during the first week of 2010, primarily due 
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to concerns about the availability of a $1 per gallon biodiesel 
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fuel blenders credit; and
 
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    WHEREAS, A December 2009 study warned that eliminating the 
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credit would have a substantial negative impact on biodiesel 
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production and the consequent economic and environmental 
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benefits made by the biodiesel industry; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Efforts are underway in Washington to extend the 
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credit retroactively to January 1, 2010 in order to spur 
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biodiesel purchases; and
 

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    WHEREAS, The elimination of the credit would result in a 
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loss of regional jobs and income, an increased demand for 
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diesel from foreign oil, and degradation of energy security; 
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therefore, be it

 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
 


 






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urge the United States Congress to quickly enact legislation to 
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extend the tax incentives for domestic biodiesel production; 
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and be it further

 
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    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
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presented to the President of the United States and each member 
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of the Illinois congressional delegation.