PRINTER'S NO. 2828
No. 232 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY BROUJOS, DALEY, BURD, HALUSKA, KASUNIC, COLAIZZO,
LLOYD, STISH, LAUGHLIN, STUBAN, F. TAYLOR, TELEK, STABACK,
CORRIGAN, JAROLIN, McVERRY, KONDRICH, ARGALL, CESSAR, STAIRS,
FARMER, LANGTRY, MERRY, BLACK AND DISTLER, DECEMBER 4, 1989
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON RULES, DECEMBER 4, 1989
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1 Memorializing the Congress of the United States to protect the
2 environmental and economic interests of the people of
3 Pennsylvania during consideration of acid rain legislation.
4 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a recipient of
5 acid rain precipitation as well as a contributor to acid rain
6 precursors; and
7 WHEREAS, The Commonwealth's current emission standards and
8 enforcement strategies have resulted in a 23% reduction in total
9 SO2 emissions since 1980, making Pennsylvania's average rate of
10 emissions the lowest of all major coal-burning states; and
11 WHEREAS, Emission reduction efforts have cost Pennsylvania's
12 electric ratepayers nearly $3 billion in capital investments and
13 almost $500 million in annual operating costs; and
14 WHEREAS, Prevailing westerly winds and a high level of
15 untreated sulfur dioxide emissions from other states cause the
16 Commonwealth to receive pollution over which it has no
17 extraterritorial control; and
1 WHEREAS, Clean Air legislation is pending at the State and
2 Federal Government levels, but only a Federal approach can
3 address the interstate causes and effects of acid rain and
4 attempt to fairly distribute the cost of mitigating those causes
5 and effects; and
6 WHEREAS, Legislation currently being considered in the United
7 States Congress includes provisions that could have a
8 deleterious effect upon Pennsylvania's environment, its vital
9 coal industry and its citizens who are customers of coal-burning
10 utilities that provide 74% of the Commonwealth's electricity;
11 therefore be it
12 RESOLVED (the Senate concurring), That the Congress of the
13 United States be memorialized to ensure:
14 (1) That the interests of the people of Pennsylvania in
15 clean air and water are protected during consideration of
16 acid rain legislation;
17 (2) That acid rain legislation be carefully evaluated to
18 ensure that is provisions are not inimical to the interests
19 of the people of Pennsylvania and the coal industry;
20 (3) That the Pennsylvania ratepayers not be required to
21 assume more of a financial burden for emission reductions
22 unless and until upwind states have reduced their emissions
23 to levels comparable to those already achieved by the
24 Commonwealth;
25 (4) That Pennsylvania's coal industry be preserved, and
26 the nation's interest in clean air and energy security be
27 advanced by greater promotion and application of the most
28 effective clean coal technologies; and
29 (5) That states play a prominent role in air quality
30 programs authorized by the Federal Government; and be it
19890H0232R2828 - 2 -
1 further
2 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
3 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
4 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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