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SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, The American Lung Association recognizes that
3 motor vehicles, especially older vehicles and equipment, are
4 contributing to adverse air quality; an enlarging body of
5 research indicates that exposure to traffic-related air
6 pollution adversely affects the health of all citizens,
7 particularly children; and
 
8     WHEREAS, B20 Biodiesel fuel can reduce particulate
9 emissions by up to 20% and reduce life-cycle carbon dioxide
10 emissions by up to 19%; and
 
11     WHEREAS, Because biodiesel fuel is made in the United
12 States from renewable resources, such as soybeans, its use
13 decreases our dependence on foreign oil and contributes to the
14 growth of our economy; and
 
15     WHEREAS, Biodiesel fuel is better for the environment than
16 petroleum diesel because biodiesel generates fewer emissions
17 than petroleum diesel; and
 
18     WHEREAS, Over 170 companies have invested millions of
19 dollars in the development of biodiesel manufacturing plants in
20 the United States and are actively marketing biodiesel; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, The production capacity of these plants is
2 approximately 2.7 billion gallons of biodiesel per year; and
 
3     WHEREAS, The federal government has offered biodiesel tax
4 incentives, including an income tax credit, a blenders' excise
5 tax credit, and a small producers' tax credit; and
 
6     WHEREAS, The federal Energy Improvement and Extension Act
7 of 2008 (Public Law 110-343) extended certain biodiesel tax
8 incentives for one year; and
 
9     WHEREAS, These federal biodiesel tax incentives expired on
10 December 31, 2009 but should be extended in order to continue
11 to promote the development, production, and use of biodiesel
12 fuel; and
 
13     WHEREAS, Only about 15% of the nation's biodiesel plants
14 were in operation during the first week of 2010, primarily due
15 to concerns about the availability of a $1 per gallon biodiesel
16 fuel blenders credit; and
 
17     WHEREAS, A December 2009 study warned that eliminating the
18 credit would have a substantial negative impact on biodiesel
19 production and the consequent economic and environmental
20 benefits made by the biodiesel industry; and
 

 

 

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1     WHEREAS, Efforts are underway in Washington to extend the
2 credit retroactively to January 1, 2010 in order to spur
3 biodiesel purchases; and
 
4     WHEREAS, The elimination of the credit would result in a
5 loss of regional jobs and income, an increased demand for
6 diesel from foreign oil, and degradation of energy security;
7 therefore, be it
 
8     RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL
9 ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United
10 States Congress to quickly enact legislation to extend the tax
11 incentives for domestic biodiesel production; and be it further
 
12     RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
13 presented to the President of the United States and each member
14 of the Illinois congressional delegation.