HR1076 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1076 LRB095 20392 BDD 47880 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Coal gasification technologies are considered a cleaner method of producing energy by converting coal into a synthetic gas; the procedure also allows for larger use of Illinois coal, which many coal-fired power plants have stopped using due to its high sulfur content; and

WHEREAS, Last year, Secure Energy, Inc. purchased property for a coal gasification project to produce synthetic natural gas from Illinois coal; the $250 million facility would generate approximately 40 permanent jobs and would use 600,000 tons of Illinois coal each year from the Viper Mine in Elkhart; and

WHEREAS, Secure Energy sought financial assistance from the State and has been waiting nearly a year for final approval for a $14,100,000 coal development grant; and

WHEREAS, Illinois' Coal Development Fund was created to assist the development of coal and energy projects, especially projects that promote to use of Illinois coal; and

WHEREAS, In November of 2007, the Governor removed more than $10,200,000 from the Coal Development Fund to provide temporary funding for the Regional Transportation Authority, and now there is not sufficient moneys in the Coal Development Fund to support Secure Energy's grant; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that, in accordance with Section 3-2 of the Illinois State Auditing Act, the Auditor General is directed to conduct a performance audit of the activities of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other State agencies with respect to actions taken under the Illinois Coal and Energy Development Bond Act, particularly with respect to deposits into and transfers, appropriations, and other withdrawals from the Coal Development Fund; and be it further

RESOLVED, that in accordance with Section 3-4 of the Illinois State Auditing Act, the Auditor General is also directed to investigate the propriety of the method by which moneys were removed from the Coal Development Fund and given to the Regional Transportation Authority; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Auditor General commence this audit as soon as possible and report his findings and recommendations upon completion in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois State Auditing Act; and be it further

RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be delivered to the Auditor General.