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92_HR0405
LRB9209078RHrh
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Development of Illinois' natural resources,
3 especially its coal reserves, in an environmentally sound
4 manner will stimulate the economy of this State, especially
5 in the southern part of our State; and
6 WHEREAS, Illinois is currently in the process of
7 transitioning from a fully regulated electric generation
8 market into a competitive electric generation market; and
9 WHEREAS, Recent events in the western part of the United
10 States have demonstrated the need to develop electric
11 generation resources to ensure a reliable supply of
12 electricity; and
13 WHEREAS, There is an increasing need for electricity and
14 electric generation capacity within Illinois and surrounding
15 states; and
16 WHEREAS, Illinois has the richest coal reserves in the
17 nation and it is imperative that these coal reserves be
18 developed and utilized; and
19 WHEREAS, It is paramount that any electric generating
20 facilities built in Illinois use Illinois natural resources,
21 especially Illinois coal, and protect the environment with
22 the best available technology; and
23 WHEREAS, In preparing for the coming deregulated electric
24 power generation market, Illinois must plan to take advantage
25 of the environmentally sound use of its own natural
26 resources, including Illinois coal; and
27 WHEREAS, Illinois has the opportunity to foster
28 significant economic development within the State during the
29 transition into a deregulated electric marketplace; and
30 WHEREAS, The development of power generation capacity
-2- LRB9209078RHrh
1 raises concerns about the environmental impact of those power
2 generation facilities; and
3 WHEREAS, Current federal regulations regarding emissions
4 of nitrogen oxides and emission credits may impede
5 development of necessary electric generation facilities; and
6 WHEREAS, Illinois must ensure that sufficient nitrogen
7 oxide emission credit are available for new electric
8 generating sources that will utilize clean coal technologies;
9 and
10 WHEREAS, Illinois' budget for nitrogen oxide emission
11 allowances is limited due to the State's current reliance on
12 nuclear power which will eventually be decommissioned and
13 therefore unavailable for generating electricity; and
14 WHEREAS, The development of clean coal technologies,
15 including coal gasification, with the vast coal reserves
16 within Illinois will enable Illinois to harvest the rewards
17 of utilizing the proven coal reserves of this State and to
18 support the further development of clean energy solutions
19 utilizing our State's natural resources as the fuel; and
20 WHEREAS, President Bush has called for the development of
21 a national energy policy; and
22 WHEREAS, Illinois is uniquely positioned to contribute to
23 the development of that national energy policy through use of
24 its extensive natural resources and coal reserves in an
25 environmentally sound manner; and
26 WHEREAS, Some adjustments in Illinois' nitrogen oxide
27 emission allowances established by the United States
28 Environmental Protection Agency will be necessary to foster
29 the development of electric generating facilities that
30 utilize Illinois natural resources and coal reserves; and
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1 WHEREAS, The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is
2 charged with overseeing the nitrogen oxide emissions credit
3 program and is the most appropriate agency to make
4 recommendations to the General Assembly regarding any
5 adjustments necessary to accommodate the development of
6 sufficient new electric generating capacity; therefore, be it
7 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
8 NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
9 we urge the United States Congress and the United States
10 Environmental Protection Agency to increase Illinois'
11 nitrogen oxide emission allowances budget; and be it further
12 RESOLVED, That the Illinois Environmental Protection
13 Agency shall prepare and submit a report to the General
14 Assembly regarding the availability of nitrogen oxide
15 emissions credits within the State and within the trading
16 region established by the United States Environmental
17 Protection Agency; the report shall contain data regarding
18 the use of emissions credits by existing electric generating
19 units, the availability of emission credits for purchase in
20 Illinois and within the trading region, the number of
21 emission credits that may be reasonably projected for use by
22 new sources in Illinois, and the relationship between the
23 cost and availability for electricity and access by existing
24 and new sources to emission credits and shall contain
25 recommendations for legislative and regulatory changes that
26 may be necessary to encourage the development of new electric
27 generating capacity in Illinois; and be it further
28 RESOLVED That the report shall be submitted to the
29 General Assembly by October 31 of each year until 2007; and
30 be it further
31 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
32 delivered to the President of the United States, the Vice
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1 President of the United States, the Administrator of the
2 United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Governor
3 of the State of Illinois, the Director of the Illinois
4 Environmental Protection Agency, the members of the Illinois
5 Congressional delegation, and the Speaker of the United
6 States House of Representatives.