Section 20 ILCS 688/5 - FindingsThe General Assembly finds that:
(a) Growth of the State's population and economic base has created a need for new electric generation capacity in Illinois. (b) Illinois has considerable natural resources that are currently underutilized and could support development of new electric power at an affordable price. (c) The development of new electric generating capacity is needed if the State is to continue to be successful in attracting new businesses and jobs. (d) Certain regions of the State, such as Southern Illinois, could benefit greatly from new employment opportunities created by development of electric generating plants utilizing the plentiful supply of Illinois coal. (e) Technology can be deployed that allows high-sulfur Illinois coal to be burned efficiently while meeting strict State and federal air quality limitations. Specifically, the State of Illinois will encourage the use of advanced clean coal technology, such as coal gasification. (f) Renewable forms of energy should be promoted as an important element of the energy and environmental policies of the State and it is a goal of the State that at least 5% of the State's energy production and use be derived from renewable forms of energy by 2010 and at least 15% from renewable forms of energy by 2020. P.A. 92-12, eff. 7/1/2001.