State of Illinois
92nd General Assembly
Legislation

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92_SR0162

 
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 1                          SENATE 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
 
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 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' budget  for  nitrogen  oxide  emission
 7    allowances  is limited due to the State's current reliance on
 8    nuclear power which will  eventually  be  decommissioned  and
 9    therefore, unavailable for generating electricity; and

10        WHEREAS,  The  development  of  clean  coal technologies,
11    including coal gasification,  with  the  vast  coal  reserves
12    within  Illinois  will enable Illinois to harvest the rewards
13    of utilizing the proven coal reserves of this  State  and  to
14    support  the  further  development  of clean energy solutions
15    utilizing our State's natural resources as the fuel; and

16        WHEREAS, President Bush has called for the development of
17    a national energy policy; and

18        WHEREAS, Illinois is uniquely positioned to contribute to
19    the development of that national energy policy through use of
20    its extensive natural  resources  and  coal  reserves  in  an
21    environmentally sound manner; and

22        WHEREAS,  Some  adjustments  in  Illinois' nitrogen oxide
23    emission  allowances  established  by   the   United   States
24    Environmental  Protection  Agency will be necessary to foster
25    the  development  of  electric  generating  facilities   that
26    utilize   Illinois   natural  resources  and  coal  reserves;
27    therefore, be it

28        RESOLVED, BY THE  SENATE  OF  THE  NINETY-SECOND  GENERAL
29    ASSEMBLY  OF  THE  STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United
30    States  Congress  and   the   United   States   Environmental
31    Protection   Agency  to  increase  Illinois'  nitrogen  oxide
 
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 1    emission allowances budget; and be it further

 2        RESOLVED, That a suitable  copy  of  this  resolution  be
 3    delivered  to  the  President  of the United States, the Vice
 4    President of the United  States,  the  Administrator  of  the
 5    United  States  Environmental Protection Agency, the Governor
 6    of the  State  of  Illinois,  the  members  of  the  Illinois
 7    Congressional  delegation,  and  the  Speaker  of  the United
 8    States House of Representatives.

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