THE FOLLOWING IS AN OFFICE OF ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS RELEASE
Carbon capture and sequestration projects have been hot button issues in Central Illinois for years, and Friday lawmakers passed legislation out of committee that deals with the issue.
Some of the components of Senate Bill 1289 include companies needing to prove their project will catch the carbon and not store it underground. It also creates more stringent rules carbon dioxide pipeline projects, versus other carbon sequestration projects. The bill also puts in place a moratorium on all multi-state pipelines.
Not everyone is on board with the legislation. The Illinois Farm Bureau still opposes the bill, as companies can use a version of eminent domain, even though companies would have to complete multiple steps first before claiming a farmer’s land.
During the committee hearing, State Representative Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) spoke of his concern for the Mahomet Aquifer, the most important aquifer in east-central Illinois.
In answer to his question, he was told it was unable to be negotiated.
The bill passed out of the committee Friday afternoon 21-7-1. It now heads to the House floor.
