HJ0063 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0063 LRB096 13143 JDS 27577 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, President Obama has announced plans to develop national automobile emissions and fuel efficiency standards; and

WHEREAS, President Obama's plan would increase national Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) standards to an industry average of 35.5 miles per gallon in 2016 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from autos by approximately 30% over the same time period; and

WHEREAS, The transportation sector contributes 30% of global warming pollution in the Midwest and significant emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, and other harmful and toxic air pollutants; and

WHEREAS, Auto emissions cause or contribute to respiratory and other ailments, particularly in children, and the residents of Chicago suffer some of the most severe asthma problems in the U.S., with hospitalization rates double the national average; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new standards will save the typical driver approximately $2800 over the life of the vehicle through reduced fuel consumption; and

WHEREAS, Nationally, the new standards will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next 5 years, which is more than we imported in 2008 from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Libya, and Nigeria combined; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new standards are the result of an agreement between automakers, auto workers, state and federal agencies, environmental advocates, and other stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, The proposal provides the clear certainty that will allow auto companies to plan for a future in which they are building the cars of the 21st century and will create the technologies and the jobs to produce those vehicles here in Illinois and America; and

WHEREAS, The proposed new standards must be finalized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Transportation before Illinois and the nation will realize all of the benefits of cleaner, more efficient vehicles; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we support President Obama's proposal to significantly increase the efficiency and reduce the emissions of the nation's vehicle fleet; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge the Governor to represent the State of Illinois as a supporter of the proposed new standards as appropriate; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to President Barack Obama, the Governor, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.