SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The highly anticipated plan to stop carbon capture and sequestration near the Mahomet aquifer has arrived on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk.

This comes roughly a year after community advocates raised concerns that carbon sequestration pipes full of liquid carbon dioxide could have leaks and contaminate the aquifer. 

The Mahomet aquifer is the sole source of water for approximately 800,000 people across Central Illinois.

"There is a task force that is also included in this bill to continue protecting the aquifer," said Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana). "The task force itself, hopefully with the support of the Prairie Research Network and certainly the Prairie Research Institute as well as other advocacy organizations, will continue to monitor this."

The Illinois Manufacturers' Association has urged Pritzker to veto this plan. They argue carbon capture and sequestration is a safe and proven technology that is key to maintaining economic growth and decarbonization goals.

While many are celebrating the Mahomet proposal passing out of both chambers, the legislation was tweaked in the Senate to allow for One Earth to continue construction of a carbon sequestration plan in the town of Gibson. This deal stopped most of the opposition to the legislation.

Sponsors and advocates said they are grateful the facility is not over the Mahomet aquifer, even though it supplies water to one of the recharge areas that supplies water to the aquifer.

"Our communities rely on the Mahomet aquifer for safe, clean drinking water," said Sen. Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). "There is no backup plan. 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."

Senate Bill 1723 passed out of the House on a 91-19 vote. The plan previously passed unanimously out of the Senate. 

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