SPRINGFIELD. – The bill to protect the Mahomet Aquifer from carbon sequestration, SB1723, was passed by the Illinois House today 91-19. The bill, championed by Representative Ammons in the House, was supported by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. It now awaits the Governor’s signature.
The legislation bans carbon sequestration within the sole source area of the Mahomet Aquifer.
It also creates a task force to study sequestration within the Mahomet Aquifer and the three recharge areas that were excluded from the bill.
In response to the House passage of SB1723, the Protect the Mahomet coalition members issued the following statements: “This is a major victory for clean water—and for the people of Illinois who made clear that the Mahomet Aquifer is an irreplaceable resource that must be protected,” said Andrew Rehn, Climate Policy Director at Prairie Rivers Network. “You don’t gamble with the water nearly a million people rely on. The General Assembly drew a hard line: our aquifer is not a dumping ground for carbon pollution.
“This was not easy. Many considered the opportunity to store carbon under the Mahomet Aquifer both a response to climate change and a tool for attracting business in Illinois. But Senators Faraci, Rose, Representatives Ammons, and Schweizer convinced the Senate and the majority of the House that the risks to the aquifer from carbon storage were too great to allow. Now, those of us who depend on fresh water from the Mahomet Aquifer know that it will be protected from CO2 pollution for generations to come.”said Pam Richart, Co-Director of Eco-Justice Collaborative. “
“We owe it to future generations to ensure Illinois protects drinking water.” said Lois Kain of the Prairie Group of the Sierra Club , “As someone who relies on the Mahomet for my daily drinking water, I am grateful for our members across the State who advocated for protecting this irreplaceable resource and to our legislators for taking action. Communities throughout the State are evaluating the impacts of carbon sequestration projects and we plan to continue advocating for the protection of water at every level of government.”
