CAHGP at Decatur Farm Progress Show
No eminent domain for CO2 pipelines!
(August 26, 27, and 29)

The Farm Progress Show is America’s largest outdoor agriculture show with more than 600 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors. At this year’s show, Citizens Against Heartland Greenwashing Projects, member of the Illinois Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines, kicked off their legislative campaign to ban the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. The SAFE CCS Act, signed by Governor Pritzker last July, does not include limits on eminent domain.

Landowners, clad in bright yellow t-shirts that read “NO EMINENT DOMAIN FOR CO2 PIPELINES,” talked with farmers and other attendees about the impacts CO2 pipelines can have on their farm, health, and safety. Construction of pipelines damages soil and drainage tiles, and reduces crop yield. And these pipelines are dangerous. Because they transport CO2, which is a toxic asphyxiant, a leak or rupture can harm - or even kill -humans and animals, depending on the concentration and length of exposure.

Over the course of three days, attendees signed over 700 postcards asking their state senators and representatives to support legislation that would ban the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. Overhead, a small plane flying a banner that reads “NO CO2 EMINENT DOMAIN” called attention to the issue, directed people to their booth, and sent a clear message to elected officials that this is the year to follow the lead of other states, and bring local control to Illinois!

South Dakota recently passed a ban on using eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. While Iowa's Governor vetoed similar legislation, it passed both Iowa's House and the Senate.