SR1470 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR1470 LRB098 22710 GRL 61677 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, America's coal miners have worked for decades to provide the means to energize our nation; and

WHEREAS, The United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a "Clean Power Plan" rule with the stated intention of reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change and global warming; and

WHEREAS, The "Clean Power Plan" rule will directly lead to the closure of Illinois coal burning power plants, resulting in an estimated loss of more than 52,000 jobs in the coal, utility, and railroad industries by 2020; and

WHEREAS, These job losses will have a ripple effect in all communities throughout the coalfields and beyond; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to immediately schedule public hearings in the coalfield regions of the United States regarding the proposed "Clean Power Plan" rule; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we further urge the United States Environmental Protection Agency to either withdraw the proposed rule or significantly revise it to eliminate the economic shocks that will occur to critical coalfield communities throughout the United States; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Chairman and Commissioners of the Illinois Commerce Commission, and the members of the Illinois congressional delegation.