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1
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, In 2013, Illinois produced 2.1 billion bushels of
3corn, making it the State's number one cash crop with an
4approximate value of $8.1 billion; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Corn is an essential feedstock in the production
6of ethanol, a homegrown, clean-burning renewable fuel; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Illinois' 14 ethanol production facilities across
8the State produce 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol annually,
9employ nearly 4,000 workers, and have a $5.3 billion impact on
10the State's economy; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The Illinois ethanol industry can support more
12than 30% of the State's gasoline demand; and
 
13    WHEREAS, The Illinois renewable fuel sector, which
14includes conventional ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, biodiesel,
15and advanced biofuels and their suppliers, generates $17.5
16billion of total economic output annually, supports 73,156
17jobs, generates $4.7 billion in wages annually, and contributes
18$1.l billion in federal taxes and $680.7 million in State taxes
19annually; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Ethanol provides lower cost fuel to Illinois

 

 

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1citizens; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Despite the undeniable benefits of ethanol to our
3economy, our environment, and our national security, the United
4States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a 20%
5reduction to the amount of ethanol that is blended into the
6nation's fuel supply as outlined in the Renewable Fuel
7Standard; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Congressional intent related to the Renewable
9Fuel Standard blending volumes is clearly outlined in the
10Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and
11Security Act of 2007; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Job losses, stunted investment, diminished
13economic growth, and greater carbon emissions would result if
14the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Renewable Fuel
15Standard rules were made final; and
 
16    WHEREAS, The Environmental Protection Agency is not only
17acting contrary to congressional intent, but to its own mission
18to protect human health and the environment by proposing
19regressive Renewable Fuel Standard rules; and
 
20    WHEREAS, President Obama is and has been a strong supporter
21of the Renewable Fuel Standard and ethanol as a viable

 

 

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1renewable energy source; therefore, be it
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
3NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE
4SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we urge President Obama to order
5the United States Environmental Protection Agency to adhere to
6congressional intent and maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard
7blending rules in their current form; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
9presented to President Obama as an expression of our support
10for corn growers and the ethanol industry in Illinois and our
11serious concerns about the Environmental Protection Agency's
12proposed Renewable Fuel Standard blending rules.