SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill heading to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk could require the state to pay land owners if their property is disturbed by carbon capture construction. This is one of two bills passed this spring to quell concerns of farmers and Republican lawmakers.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers approved the plan to provide compensation if crops, trees, fences, shrubs, livestock, or other objects are damaged during carbon capture construction.
Pritzker signed a plan into law on July 18 to set the highest standards in the nation for environmental safety in carbon capture, pipelines and sequestration. While the transition to green energy is inevitable, Pritzker said Illinois needs to use every tool to slow down emissions and address climate change.
"Every marginal reduction in planetary warming that we can achieve, every fraction of a percent, represents billions of dollars of savings for our economy here and likely thousands of lives across the nation," Pritzker said.
Less than a year later, lawmakers approved a bill to provide compensation if crops, trees, fences, shrubs, livestock or other objects are damaged during carbon capture construction.
"This bill further clarifies just compensation for land owners and gives further protection for surface owners in case their land is hurt or destroyed in the process of laying down a pipeline," said Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview).
The plan passed unanimously out of the Senate, but it faced a challenge from local Republicans in the House.
Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) said Illinois needs to be able to step in and stop projects if carbon capture is destroying water and soil.
"While we support the idea of an improved property rights on the surface and subsurface, I think the bill still has some issues constitutionally with the subsurface rights," Halbrook said. "And I urge a no vote."
Yet, other Republicans were happy to see the Pritzker administration acknowledge rights for nonconsenting land owners.
"It may not be perfect yet, but we've watched a lot of bills go through here that weren't perfect," said Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). "And we are making things better for the property owners out here in the state of Illinois with this."
Senate Bill 1697 passed out of the House on a 93-21 vote with Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis) voting present.
Many local lawmakers hope Pritzker will sign the bipartisan plan to ban carbon sequestration near the Mahomet aquifer as well.
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