SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) is one of several state lawmakers upset that Gov. JB Pritzker signed a plan to expand carbon capture technology Thursday.
While Rose supports the idea of adding more options for energy to meet demand, he is concerned that companies will soon be able to store carbon dioxide beneath the Mahomet Aquifer.
Rose has filed a new bill to ban carbon sequestration over the Mahomet Aquifer. He told WAND News that Pritzker prioritized industry interests over safety of the water supply for 1 million people in central Illinois.
"Let's step back under a decade ago to northwest Champaign County where People's Gas, using the exact same technology to store natural gas below ground of the Mahomet Aquifer, had a massive leak," Rose said. "Eight years later, those people still can't drink the water out of their tap."
Sen. Chapin Rose told WAND News that Gov. JB Pritzker prioritized industry interests over safety of the water supply for 1 million people in central Illinois.
Although, sponsors and advocates said the law requires carbon capture companies to achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gases and conduct water, air and soil monitoring to ensure no leaks occur. The plan also establishes a two-year moratorium on CO2 pipelines so the state can wait for federal safety and oversight rules.
"We based it on the science, and the data, and the modeling that we had access to," said Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago). "So, we felt very comfortable about how we were providing safeguards to drill not just through the aquifer but anywhere in the state of Illinois. It was all science-based and not based on talking points or fearmongering or anything else we heard on the floor debate."
Rose has started an online petition for people to have their voices heard and keep local drinking water safe. The Republican hopes his plan can be heard during veto session this fall.
"This is not some partisan issue," Rose stressed. "Clean water is not a partisan issue. This is a common sense issue. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, independent or otherwise, you want to be able to turn on your water and drink it."
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