PRINTER'S NO. 1796
No. 123 Session of 1989
INTRODUCED BY RHOADES, BELAN, SHUMAKER, STOUT, STAPLETON,
PORTERFIELD, O'PAKE, ANDREZESKI, FISHER, REGOLI, LINCOLN,
LEMMOND, MELLOW AND MUSTO, DECEMBER 11, 1989
REFERRED TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, DECEMBER 11, 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
18 WHEREAS, Clean Air legislation is pending at the State and
1 Federal Government levels, but only a Federal approach can
2 address the interstate causes and effects of acid rain and
3 attempt to fairly distribute the cost of mitigating those causes
4 and effects; and
5 WHEREAS, Legislation currently being considered in the United
6 States Congress includes provisions that could have a
7 deleterious effect upon Pennsylvania's environment, its vital
8 coal industry and its citizens who are customers of coal-burning
9 utilities that provide 74% of the Commonwealth's electricity;
10 therefore be it
11 RESOLVED (the House of Representatives concurring), That the
12 Congress of the United States be memorialized to ensure:
13 (1) That the interests of the people of Pennsylvania in
14 clean air and water are protected during consideration of
15 acid rain legislation;
16 (2) That acid rain legislation be carefully evaluated to
17 ensure that is provisions are not inimical to the interests
18 of the people of Pennsylvania and the coal industry;
19 (3) That the Pennsylvania ratepayers not be required to
20 assume more of a financial burden for emission reductions
21 unless and until upwind states have reduced their emissions
22 to levels comparable to those already achieved by the
23 Commonwealth;
24 (4) That Pennsylvania's coal industry be preserved, and
25 the nation's interest in clean air and energy security be
26 advanced by greater promotion and application of the most
27 effective clean coal technologies; and
28 (5) That states play a prominent role in air quality
29 programs authorized by the Federal Government; and be it
30 further
19890S0123R1796 - 2 -
1 RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
2 the presiding officers of each house of Congress and to each
3 member of Congress from Pennsylvania.
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