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| [ Introduced ] | [ Senate Amendment 001 ] |
92_SJ0035eng 92SJ0035 Engrossed SRS92SJ0004SBcp 1 SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 35 2 (As amended by Senate Amendment No. 1) 3 WHEREAS, Development of Illinois' natural resources, 4 especially its coal reserves, in an environmentally sound 5 manner will stimulate the economy of this State, especially 6 in the southern part of our State; and 7 WHEREAS, Illinois is currently in the process of 8 transitioning from a fully regulated electric generation 9 market into a competitive electric generation market; and 10 WHEREAS, Recent events in the western part of the United 11 States have demonstrated the need to develop electric 12 generation resources to ensure a reliable supply of 13 electricity; and 14 WHEREAS, There is an increasing need for electricity and 15 electric generation capacity within Illinois and surrounding 16 states; and 17 WHEREAS, Illinois has the richest coal reserves in the 18 nation and it is imperative that these coal reserves be 19 developed and utilized; and 20 WHEREAS, It is paramount that any electric generating 21 facilities built in Illinois use Illinois natural resources, 22 especially Illinois coal, and protect the environment with 23 the best available technology; and 24 WHEREAS, In preparing for the coming deregulated electric 25 power generation market, Illinois must plan to take advantage 26 of the environmentally sound use of its own natural 27 resources, including Illinois coal; and 28 WHEREAS, Illinois has the opportunity to foster 29 significant economic development within the State during the 30 transition into a deregulated electric marketplace; and 92SJ0035 Engrossed -2- SRS92SJ0004SBcp 1 WHEREAS, The development of power generation capacity 2 raises concerns about the environmental impact of those power 3 generation facilities; and 4 WHEREAS, Current federal regulations regarding emissions 5 of nitrogen oxides and emission credits may impede 6 development of necessary electric generation facilities; and 7 WHEREAS, Illinois must work to ensure that sufficient 8 nitrogen oxide emission credits are available for new 9 electricity generating sources that will utilize clean coal 10 technologies; and 11 WHEREAS, Illinois' budget for nitrogen oxide emission 12 allowances is limited due to the State's current reliance on 13 nuclear power which will eventually be decommissioned and 14 therefore, unavailable for generating electricity; and 15 WHEREAS, The development of clean coal technologies, 16 including coal gasification, with the vast coal reserves 17 within Illinois will enable Illinois to harvest the rewards 18 of utilizing the proven coal reserves of this State and to 19 support the further development of clean energy solutions 20 utilizing our State's natural resources as the fuel; and 21 WHEREAS, President Bush has called for the development of 22 a national energy policy; and 23 WHEREAS, Illinois is uniquely positioned to contribute to 24 the development of that national energy policy through use of 25 its extensive natural resources and coal reserves in an 26 environmentally sound manner; and 27 WHEREAS, Some adjustments in Illinois' nitrogen oxide 28 emission allowances established by the United States 29 Environmental Protection Agency will be necessary to foster 30 the development of electric generating facilities that 31 utilize Illinois natural resources and coal reserves; 92SJ0035 Engrossed -3- SRS92SJ0004SBcp 1 therefore, be it 2 RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SECOND GENERAL 3 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF 4 REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge the United 5 States Congress and the United States Environmental 6 Protection Agency to increase Illinois' nitrogen oxide 7 emission allowances budget; and be it further 8 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 9 delivered to the President of the United States, the Vice 10 President of the United States, the Administrator of the 11 United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Governor 12 of the State of Illinois, the members of the Illinois 13 Congressional delegation, and the Speaker of the United 14 States House of Representatives.