HR 536

Abstract

Urges the Illinois Commerce Commission to prepare a report on the cost and efficiency benefits of using Illinois coal at Illinois coal-burning plants, including any legislative impediments and the impact on residential and commercial ratepayer; urges the Illinois Power Agency to prepare a report on the effect that burning Illinois coal has on reliability and capacity for the Midwest region and the mechanisms that could be utilized to provide cost recovery of incremental environmental investments to generators switching to Illinois coal; urges the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to prepare a report on the economic benefits and job creation potential from switching to Illinois coal and the result of more coal production; urges the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to prepare a report on the environmental impact (including reduced C02 emissions) of burning Illinois coal with the use of flue gas desulfurization equipment, reduced rail travel and associated C02 emission reductions, more efficient energy production as a result of Illinois coal's high energy density and the potential for the development of the carbon storage capacity of the Mount Simon Sandstone and the impact of bringing Illinois air emission standards in line with those of the federal government; and urges the Illinois Department of Revenue to prepare a report on the impact on State and local taxes from Illinois power plants switching to Illinois coal.