The Champaign County Board has enacted a twelve-month moratorium to safeguard the Mahomet Aquifer from potential impacts of carbon capture projects.
This decision follows a public hearing where over 60 residents expressed concerns about the potential leaching of heavy metals, including uranium, nickel, and manganese, into the aquifer due to underground CO2 injection.
The moratorium provides the county with a crucial window to develop comprehensive zoning regulations aimed at protecting this vital source of drinking water for East Central Illinois.
The Champaign County Board‘s Environment and Land Committee had previously voted in October to establish this moratorium, effectively halting any carbon sequestration activities within the designated area for the next twelve months.
“I commend the Champaign County Board for establishing a temporary moratorium on carbon sequestration projects in the Mahomet Aquifer,” said Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin.
“This is an important step toward protecting our sole source of drinking water. I also appreciate the leadership of Senators Faraci and Rose and Representatives Ammons and Schweizer for their efforts to ban carbon sequestration projects in the entire aquifer. It’s as clear as the water we drink: We must protect the quality and quantity of water in our Sole Source Aquifer.”
Read more: Illinois Senate Pauses Carbon Injection Ban Amidst Concerns
