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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Because biodiesel fuel is made in the United
3 States from renewable resources, such as soybeans, its use
4 decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to the
5 growth of our economy; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Biodiesel fuel is better for the environment than
7 petroleum diesel because biodiesel generates fewer emissions
8 than petroleum diesel; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Over 170 companies have invested millions of
10 dollars in the development of biodiesel manufacturing plants in
11 the United States and are actively marketing biodiesel; and
 
12     WHEREAS, The production capacity of these plants is
13 approximately 2.7 billion gallons of biodiesel per year; and
 
14     WHEREAS, The federal government has offered biodiesel tax
15 incentives, including an income tax credit, a blenders' excise
16 tax credit, and a small producers' tax credit; and
 
17     WHEREAS, The federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act
18 of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) extended certain biodiesel tax
19 incentives for one year; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, These federal biodiesel tax incentives expired on
2 December 31, 2009 but should be extended in order to continue
3 to promote the development, production, and use of biodiesel
4 fuel; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Only about 15% of the nation's biodiesel plants
6 were in operation during the first week of 2010, primarily due
7 to concerns about the availability of a $1 per gallon biodiesel
8 fuel blenders credit; and
 
9     WHEREAS, A December 2009 study warned that eliminating the
10 credit would have a substantial negative impact on biodiesel
11 production and the consequent economic and environmental
12 benefits made by the biodiesel industry; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Efforts are underway in Washington to extend the
14 credit retroactively to January 1, 2010 in order to spur
15 biodiesel purchases; and
 
16     WHEREAS, The elimination of the credit would result in a
17 loss of regional jobs and income, an increased demand for
18 diesel from foreign oil, and degradation of energy security;
19 therefore, be it
 
20     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
21 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we

 

 

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1 urge the United States Congress to quickly enact legislation to
2 extend the tax incentives for domestic biodiesel production;
3 and be it further
 
4     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
5 presented to the President of the United States and each member
6 of the Illinois congressional delegation.