CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WAND) — State Senator Paul Faraci is joining the lawmakers and local communities concerned about the possible effects of carbon capture and sequestration on the Mahomet Aquifer.
“The Mahomet Aquifer is a lifeline for many residents, and while carbon sequestration can play a role in addressing climate change, we need to ensure it doesn’t put our community’s water at risk,” said Faraci (D-Champaign). “This measure is about exercising caution to protect the health and safety of our residents and safeguarding this crucial resource for our future generations.”
Faraci introduced legislation to prohibit carbon capture and sequestration activities over, under or through the Mahomet Aquifer.
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) filed similar legislation shortly after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a carbon capture bill into law this summer.
Senate Bill 3968 would amend the Environmental Protection Act to state that no carbon sequestration could be conducted over, under, or through a sole-source aquifer. The Mahomet Aquifer is the only source of clean drinking water for at least half of the population it serves – meaning those residents would have no alternative should the aquifer become contaminated, according to Faraci.
In July, Rose told WAND News, "this is not some partisan issue. 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."
Proponents of carbon sequestration maintain that there is little risk of CO2 injection on the environment provided all rules and regulations are followed.
Copyright 2024. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
