Chambana Sun

Governor JB Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1289, allowing carbon sequestration under the Mahomet Aquifer, a crucial water source for central Illinois. This decision has faced significant opposition from local legislators, including State Senator Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet), who has filed new legislation in response.

Senator Rose criticized the Governor's decision, stating, "Governor Pritzker’s decision to sign this bill proves that he is more worried about issuing press releases pretending to be ‘green’ than he is about the future of clean water for central Illinois. And all the while, ‘Governor Green’ is making sure that his rich buddies in big businesses are reaping big profits off this potential threat to our water."

The Mahomet Aquifer, designated as a “Sole Source Aquifer” by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), provides hundreds of millions of gallons of water daily to nearly one million people in East Central Illinois. Concerns have been raised about potential carbonic acid formation from CO2 interaction with the water, which could mobilize hazardous contaminants like heavy metals such as arsenic.

In response to the signing of SB 1289, Sen. Rose filed Senate Bill 3963 to ban carbon sequestration activity over the federally designated Mahomet Aquifer. He emphasized the risks associated with storing CO2 under this vital resource and urged public support for his efforts.

“It’s beyond belief that Governor Pritzker would prioritize industry interests over the safety of our water supply,” said Sen. Rose. “It’s not like the Governor wasn’t aware of the risks. In fact, a bi-partisan group of legislators sent him a letter before this bill passed, demanding to keep the CO2 off the aquifer."

Senator Rose encourages citizens to support SB 3963 by signing a petition available on his website. The passage of SB 1289 has sparked widespread outcry and raised questions about its long-term environmental impacts.

For more information and to view the letter sent by bipartisan legislators urging Governor Pritzker to veto SB 1289, visit https://senchapinrose.com/letter-to-the-gov-mahomet-aquifer/. Citizens can also sign Sen. Rose’s petition through his website.