CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) — Leaders and residents of central Illinois are finding themselves on edge after two recent leaks at ADM's CO₂ injection site in Decatur. Thursday night, The Champaign County Board Environment and Land Committee voted to establish a moratorium that would stop any carbon sequestration over the next twelve months.
When the audience was asked by a concerned citizen who supported the moratorium, hands flew to the air across the room. Many of the community members expressed support for the proposed moratorium, citing the need for clean drinking water from the Mahomet aquifer as their main concern.
Both Mayor Diane Marlin of Urbana and Mayor Deborah Frank Feinen of Urbana took advantage of the time provided for public comment to relay their unwavering support for the moratorium. "There is no reasonable available drinking water alternative if the aquifer becomes contaminated or compromised. That is the most important thing anyone can say tonight." said Marlin.
Board members heard the community's please and voted unanimously to pass the moratorium. They said the next 12 months will give them time to discuss the types of regulations and restrictions they want to establish for carbon sequestration.
Next on their agenda is a public hearing hosted by the Champaign County Zoning Board of Appeals on December 12. They will take the public's opinion into consideration before giving their recommendation to the County Board.
Carbon sequestration experts maintain that the Central Illinois rock formation is ideal for CO₂ injection and if companies follow all rules and regulations, there should not be a threat of leaks.
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