Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn climbs onto high school roof to help make Illinois `soybean-roof capital of the world', promote All-American Energy plan

(GREENVIEW) - Today, Lt. Governor Pat Quinn rolled up his sleeves and climbed onto the rooftop of Greenview High School to help apply a new soybean-based roof - illustrating the shift from foreign petroleum-based materials to Illinois-grown products at the heart of the new All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois.

 

"Greenview High School is surrounded by acres of soybean fields," Quinn said. "Here in Illinois, we can use those green fields to break our dependency on oil controlled by foreign potentates. Through the All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois, we will use soybean roofs and other innovative technologies to make the Land of Lincoln a national leader in increasing our energy independence."

 

The Lt. Governor visited Greenview with representatives from the Illinois Soybean Association and other officials to raise citizen awareness of the All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois.  The plan, unveiled last week by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, calls for the state to cut its dependence on foreign petroleum products in half by 2017. 

 

Building on Illinois' commitment to energy-efficient, environmentally sound buildings, the All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois includes a $25 million revolving loan fund to support local governments' efforts make public buildings more energy efficient.  An equal amount would be available to small businesses and manufacturers for energy efficiency projects.

 

Converting from the traditional black asphalt that covers most Illinois rooftops to a non-toxic, flame-resistant soy-based product is a cost-effective way to reduce petroleum use. Additionally, soybean rooftops are white and highly reflective, so they stay far cooler than asphalt roofs during the summer months. As a result, buildings with soy roofs require less air-conditioning, so they continue to save energy.

 

Quinn, who chairs the Governor's Rural Affairs Council and the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council, has been a strong advocate of the environmental and economic benefits of corn- and soy-based alternative products and fuels.  As Lt. Governor, Quinn has advocated increased use of plant-based products that can expand Illinois' economy while reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil.

 

"Thanks to the farmers in the Land of Lincoln, our state is the nation's leading producer of soybeans, and the second-largest producer of corn," Quinn said.  "Our new energy plan will make Illinois a national leader in producing clean, All-American energy that will help our environment while boosting our economy."

 

 

 

The All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois calls for $100 million in financial incentives over the next five years to build up to 20 new conventional ethanol plants.  In addition, the plan will invest $100 million over the next 10 years to build four plants using newer technology to convert plant waste materials, such as corn husks and wood pulp, to ethanol.

The plan includes $25 million in incentives to build five new biodiesel plants in Illinois, boosting the state's total biodiesel production to 400 million gallons annually - 25% of the state's diesel needs - by 2017.

A new task force will be created to find new ways to increase investment in Illinois' biofuels industry.  To speed construction of new biofuels plants, Gov. Blagojevich will issue an executive order to streamline the permitting process.

            Under the All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois, consumers will have increased access to biofuels such as E-85, a blend of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol.  Currently, fewer than 150 gas stations statewide offer E-85 which can be used by flexible-fuel vehicles. The energy plan calls for $30 million in State investment to add 900 E-85 pumps by 2010 - making the fuel blend available at 20% of Illinois gas stations.  By 2017, every Illinois gas station would be required to offer E-85.

To increase E-85 demand, the State will work with automakers to increase sales of flexible-fuel vehicles and will encourage local governments and private car fleets to use vehicles that can run on E-85.

            In addition to the revolving loan funds to support energy-efficient buildings, the All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois includes a proposed Renewable Portfolio Standard.  Under this standard, Illinois power companies would be required to generate at least 10% of their energy through renewable sources, such as wind energy and solar, by 2015. 

            The All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois sets an ambitious goal of reducing overall motor fuel consumption by 10% by 2017. To help reach that goal, the State of Illinois will create the Illinois Fuel Conservation Task Force.

            The energy plan earmarks $775 million to build up to 10 new coal gasification plants that would use advanced technology to convert solid Illinois coal into a gas form. These new coal gasification plants are expected to replace 25% of Illinois' diesel fuel, 25% of natural gas and 10% of electricity by 2017

The All-American Energy Plan for the State of Illinois will invest $100 million in a pipeline to move carbon dioxide from gasification facilities in Central and Southern Illinois to Illinois Basin oilfields in Southeastern Illinois. The gas would be used to enhance recovery in the oilfields, doubling the state's petroleum production, and could also be used to extract methane to replace natural gas.  The carbon dioxide would eventually be stored underground, reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.