HR0943 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0943 LRB094 19677 RSP 56144 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Wind power facilities provide emission-free options to oil-fueled and gas-fueled power plants and promote the generation of electricity as a renewable energy resource; and

WHEREAS, Wind energy is a tiny but fast-growing share of U.S. energy; since Congress reinstated a key tax credit for wind producers, the industry is poised for rapid expansion in the next year; and

WHEREAS, The growth of renewable energy sources has resulted in 17 states passing laws requiring that some part of the total electricity used come from renewable sources such as wind power; and

WHEREAS, In August 2005, the Illinois Commerce Commission adopted Governor Blagojevich's Sustainable Energy Plan as a voluntary plan, under which Illinois' utilities would begin acquiring 2% of their electricity from sources such as wind, solar, and methane captured from landfills by the end of 2006, ramping up in 1% annual increments to 8% in 2012; and

WHEREAS, Wind power facilities are developing rapidly in Northern and Central Illinois and are planned or under construction in Adams, Boone, Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, DeKalb, McLean, Pike, and Stephenson Counties; and

WHEREAS, Each wind turbine is approximately 213 feet high with a blade diameter of up to 170 feet, and the revolving blades, especially when numbers of turbines are concentrated into wind farms, pose a danger to migrating birds, including threatened and endangered species; and

WHEREAS, Scientists don't know whether wind turbines reduce overall bird populations, but are concerned that turbines, added to other factors such as habitat destruction, could result in the species decline; and

WHEREAS, In some states environmentalists have sued to force turbine owners to take corrective measures because of the danger to threatened and endangered species; and

WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the danger of wind turbines to flying birds, and that corrective measures such as placement of wind turbines away from the migratory routes of birds can help in reducing bird mortality; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that the Department of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Illinois Commerce Commission, conduct a study to assess the danger of wind turbines to birds, including threatened and endangered species in Illinois, and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor no later than July 1, 2007; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be sent to the Director of Natural Resources, the Chairman of the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the Governor.