Bill bans carbon sequestration within Mahomet Aquifer

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois General Assembly passed legislation that bans carbon sequestration within the Mahomet Aquifer.

Both the House and Senate bills were supported by Democrat and Republican lawmakers, passing the House 91-19 on May 20 after unanimously approved 55-0 in the Senate on April 10. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk.

The bill amends the Environmental Protection Act and provides “that no person shall conduct a carbon sequestration activity within a sequestration facility that overlies, underlies, or passes through a sole-source aquifer.”

It also specifies that this provision “does not deprive the EPA of the authority to deny a carbon sequestration permit.”

The legislation defines a “sole-source aquifer” as an aquifer designated by the U.S. EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act, specifically referencing the Sole Source Aquifer Area as of March 19, 2015.

Additionally, the bill establishes the Mahomet Aquifer Advisory Study Commission, which will study and review reports on the safety of carbon capture and storage in the Mahomet Aquifer Area.

The commission, composed of various state officials and appointed members, will conduct research, engage with stakeholders and submit a final report to the governor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2031.

The commission aims to assess the potential risks and safety of carbon dioxide storage in the aquifer, reviewing its impacts on human, animal and environmental health and examining carbon sequestration practices in Illinois and other states.

State Sen. Paul Faraci, D-Champaign, initially submitted the bill aimed at protecting the Mahomet Aquifer — a vital sole-source aquifer supplying clean drinking water to over 800,000 people across 15 counties in east-central Illinois.

The aquifer underlies 1,260,000 acres. An estimated 100 million gallons per day of groundwater is pumped from the aquifer to supply municipal, agricultural, commercial, industrial and rural domestic users.

“Our communities rely on the Mahomet Aquifer for safe, clean drinking water — there is no backup plan,” Faraci said.

“While carbon sequestration has potential, we cannot gamble with the health of almost one million people. This bill ensures we don’t put short-term projects ahead of long-term water security.”

“This is a huge win for the people of central Illinois who stood up and demanded action to protect their clean water,” said state Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, chief co-sponsor. “We pushed hard to get this bill through the Senate. I truly appreciate the support and help from Senator Faraci to get this passed.”

Carbon sequestration takes carbon emissions out of the air and stores them deep underground in a well for long periods of time, often through a pipeline.

Advocates for a ban say that if any CO2 leaked, it could change the chemistry of drinking water, activating harmful substances.

The Illinois Manufacturers Association, a trade group lobbying for manufacturing interests, opposes the bill.

Mark Denzler, IMA president, encouraged the governor to veto the bill, as he believes CO2 sequestration could help Illinois reach its goal of zero carbon emissions by 2050.

“Carbon capture and sequestration is a safe and proven technology that is key to maintaining economic growth and advancing our state’s decarbonization goals,” Denzler said.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has 60 days to either sign or veto the bill.