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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
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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;
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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.
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