SE Illinois News

State Representative Patrick Windhorst voted against legislation (SB 1289) aimed at establishing new rules for permitting carbon capture and sequestration projects across Illinois. Despite the bill being a product of extensive negotiations among labor unions, business representatives, and climate advocates, Windhorst expressed concerns over its financial implications and perceived inadequacies in protecting property owners and groundwater.

"I voted against the new regulations for carbon capture and sequestration for several reasons, including my concern that the Mahomet aquifer that serves 800,000 Illinois citizens is not specifically protected in the legislation," Windhorst stated. He also highlighted the high initial costs associated with obtaining both federal and state permits compared to other Midwestern states. Additionally, he pointed out local residents' apprehensions regarding eminent domain issues and potential misuse of agricultural land for CO2 sequestration.

The debate on the Illinois House floor marked this as Illinois' first attempt to regulate carbon capture and sequestration independently. Proponents of the bill argued it included sufficient environmental safeguards while promising job creation and economic growth. However, Windhorst remained unconvinced.

"I think this turned out to be a missed opportunity, and one that will be costly to businesses and taxpayers," he remarked. "I believe if Republicans had been included in the negotiations, this bill would have contained greater protections for our residents, greater protections for our drinking water, and lowered up-front costs for businesses hoping to use carbon capture as a way to mitigate stiff financial penalties imposed by both state and federal environmental protection agencies."