HJ0089 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0089 LRB099 12936 GRL 36796 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In 2013, Illinois produced 2.1 billion bushels of corn, making it the State's number one cash crop with an approximate value of $8.1 billion; and

WHEREAS, Corn is an essential feedstock in the production of ethanol, a homegrown, clean-burning renewable fuel; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' 14 ethanol production facilities across the State produce 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol annually, employ nearly 4,000 workers, and have a $5.3 billion impact on the State's economy; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois ethanol industry can support more than 30% of the State's gasoline demand; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois renewable fuel sector, which includes conventional ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel, and advanced biofuels and their suppliers, generates $17.5 billion of total economic output annually, supports 73,156 jobs, generates $4.7 billion in wages annually, and contributes $1.l billion in federal taxes and $680.7 million in State taxes annually; and

WHEREAS, Ethanol provides lower cost fuel to Illinois citizens; and

WHEREAS, Despite the undeniable benefits of ethanol to our economy, our environment, and our national security, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a 20% reduction to the amount of ethanol that is blended into the nation's fuel supply as outlined in the Renewable Fuel Standard; and

WHEREAS, Congressional intent related to the Renewable Fuel Standard blending volumes is clearly outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007; and

WHEREAS, Job losses, stunted investment, diminished economic growth, and greater carbon emissions would result if the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Renewable Fuel Standard rules were made final; and

WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency is not only acting contrary to congressional intent, but to its own mission to protect human health and the environment by proposing regressive Renewable Fuel Standard rules; and

WHEREAS, President Obama is and has been a strong supporter of the Renewable Fuel Standard and ethanol as a viable renewable energy source; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge President Obama to order the United States Environmental Protection Agency to adhere to congressional intent and maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard blending rules in their current form; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to President Obama as an expression of our support for corn growers and the ethanol industry in Illinois and our serious concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Renewable Fuel Standard blending rules.