Illinois § 5

§ 5.

Findings and State policy. The General Assembly recognizes that agriculture is a vital sector of the Illinois economy and that an important growth industry for the Illinois agricultural sector is renewable fuels production. Renewable fuels produced from Illinois agricultural products hold great potential for growing the State's economy, reducing our dependence on foreign oil supplies, and improving the environment by reducing harmful emissions from vehicles. Illinois is the nation's leading producer of ethanol, a clean, renewable fuel with significant environmental benefits. The General Assembly finds that reliable supplies of renewable fuels will be integral to the long term energy security of the United States. The General Assembly declares that it is the public policy of the State of Illinois to promote and encourage the production and use of renewable fuels as a means not only to improve air quality in the State and the nation, but also to grow the agricultural sector of the Illinois economy. To achieve these public policy objectives, the General Assembly hereby authorizes the creation and implementation of the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program within the Agency. (Source: P.A. 102-444, eff. 8-20-21.)