R-28-00 02/28/2000RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION PERTAINING TO COAL -FIRED POWER PLANTS IN ILLINOIS
WHEREAS, air pollution has been shown to be a contributing factor to premature death, aggravates
asthma and is especially harmful to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with existing
lung and heart disease; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ruled that the Chicago metropolitan
area is a severe non - attainment area for ozone, and failure to conform with US. EPA Clean Air Act standards
can lead to a loss of federal transportation dollars, the curtailment of economic opportunities, and the
imposition of other federal sanctions that would erode local control; and
WHEREAS, the twenty -five coal -fired power plants in Illinois are a significant source of air
pollution in the State, emitting smog - forming nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide that contributes to particulate
pollution, carbon dioxide that contributes to climate change, and toxic metals; and
WHEREAS, the coal -fired power plants in Illinois built between 1951 and 1975 currently are
exempt from meeting the pollution standards of the Clean Air Act that new plants must meet; and
WHEREAS, pollution from coal -fired power plants could be reduced by installing modern pollution
controls or burning cleaner fuels such as natural gas; and
WHEREAS, the health and safety of area residents is being threatened due to emissions from the
coal -fired power plants in Illinois.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Village of Lemont, Illinois, hereby urges
Governor George H. Ryan and the the Illinois General Assembly to ensure that pollution from coal -fired
power plants be dramatically reduced by passing legislation that would effectively end the "grandfathering"
of these plants from the new plant emission standards of the Clean Air Act.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
VILLAGE OF LEMONT, COUNTIES OF COOK, WILL AND DU PAGE, ILLINOIS on this 28th
day of February , 2000.
AYES: 6
NAYS: 0
ABSENT:0
Attest:
CHARLENE SMOLLEN, Village Clerk