Petition Seeks Ban on Carbon Sequestration Projects Threatening Mahomet Aquifer

A petition launched by Prairie Rivers Network aims to halt proposed carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects that could jeopardize the Mahomet Aquifer, a crucial water source for nearly one million residents in Central Illinois.

The Mahomet Aquifer supplies millions of gallons of water daily to central Illinois residents, farmers, and businesses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates it as a “Sole Source Aquifer,” meaning it provides more than half of the drinking water for its service area.

Legislative Actions

Governor JB Pritzker recently signed the Safety and Aid for the Environment in Carbon Capture and Sequestration (SAFE CCS) Act into law. The act imposes a two-year moratorium on new carbon dioxide pipelines and mandates stringent safety and environmental standards for CCS projects statewide.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) has introduced a new bill seeking to ban carbon sequestration activities over the Mahomet Aquifer. Critics of the SAFE CCS Act, including Rose, argue that CO2 interaction with the aquifer could form carbonic acid, potentially mobilizing harmful contaminants like arsenic and other heavy metals.

SAFE CCS Act Provisions

The SAFE CCS Act introduces several key measures:

• Two-Year Moratorium: A temporary ban on new carbon dioxide pipeline construction, subject to revision pending new federal safety regulations.
• Comprehensive Permitting: State permits with rigorous safety monitoring throughout the project lifecycle and 30 years post-completion.
• Financial and Insurance Requirements: Mandates financial assurances and insurance coverage to manage potential accidents or failures.
• Environmental Protections: Ensures projects achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gases and conduct continuous water, air, and soil monitoring.
• First Responder Training: Requires training for emergency responders in areas with CCS infrastructure.
• Regulatory Oversight: The Illinois Commerce Commission will oversee a transparent assessment process for new CCS projects.

Economic Impact

Proponents of the SAFE CCS Act highlight its economic benefits. Governor Pritzker noted that the legislation could attract up to $9 billion in investments and create approximately 3,700 jobs, many of them union positions.

Call to Action

The Prairie Rivers Network’s petition calls for a complete ban on CO2 injection through and storage under the Mahomet Aquifer and its recharge areas. It stresses that the aquifer’s sole-source designation means there is no viable alternative drinking water source for the region’s residents.

Petition Statement

“We, the undersigned, demand a ban on CO2 injection through and storage under the Mahomet Aquifer and its recharge areas to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from the dangers of carbon sequestration. The Mahomet Aquifer provides drinking water to nearly 1 million people in Central Illinois. More than 100 communities and rural homeowners in 15 counties rely on this water every day.”

The petition outlines the potential health risks associated with carbonic acid formation and heavy metal contamination, including toxicity, organ damage, anemia, and cancer. It stresses that the SAFE CCS Act’s provision for alternative drinking water sources is unfeasible for the Mahomet Aquifer, given its sole-source designation.

For more information and to sign the petition, visit the Prairie Rivers Network website.