HR1433

LRB095 21763 RLJ 51977 r






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HOUSE RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, In 1981, Congress first imposed a moratorium on 
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new oil drilling in more than 80% of the Outer Continental 
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Shelf; and

 
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    WHEREAS, An estimated 18 to 21 billion barrels of 
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recoverable oil are located in the areas of the Outer 
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Continental Shelf that are protected under the 1981 moratorium; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Since the initial ban was imposed, drilling 
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technologies have become more sophisticated, providing for 
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more advanced imaging to locate oil deposits and safer 
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directional drilling practices for the more precise extraction 
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of oil; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Approximately 60% of the oil consumed by the 
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United States is imported; offshore drilling is an alternative 
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to oil importation that could reduce the nation's dependence on 
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foreign oil; and

 
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    WHEREAS, National motor fuel prices have reached record 
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high levels with gasoline prices exceeding $4.00 a gallon and 
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diesel prices at nearly $4.80 a gallon; average gasoline prices 
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in Illinois have also set new record high levels of more than 
 


 






HR1433
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LRB095 21763 RLJ 51977 r




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$4.15 a gallon; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Polls show that Americans are in strong support of 
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offshore drilling in coastal waters; and

 
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    WHEREAS, Supporters of offshore drilling point to record 
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high fuel prices and the nation's reliance on foreign sources 
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of oil as valid reasons for lifting the ban on coastal oil 
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exploration; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Congress has discussed measures to open the Outer 
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Continental Shelf to additional drilling, and two measures, the 
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Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act (H.R. 6108) and the National 
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Environment and Development Act (H.R. 2784),  would lift the 
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current moratorium and allow coastal states to decide whether 
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to allow oil leases off their shores; therefore, be it
 
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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
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support new offshore oil drilling as a means to increase the 
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energy independence of the United States, and we urge the 
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Congress of the United States of America to lift the moratorium 
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on new drilling in the Outer Continental Shelf; and be it 
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further


 
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    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be sent 
 


 






HR1433
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LRB095 21763 RLJ 51977 r




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to the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader of the United 
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States Senate, the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the 
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United States House of Representatives, and each member of the 
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Illinois Congressional delegation.