Resident Opposed to Multi-State CO₂ Pipelines
The McDonough County Voice
Published 11:18 am CT May 6, 2022

Dear Editor,

Driving thru rural McDonough County, one can view “No Easement, CO₂ Carbon Pipelines, No Eminent Domain” signs.

Last December, land owners in or near the proposed pipeline area in thirteen Illinois counties: Hancock, Adams, McDonough, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, and Christian received an informational packet from a private company proposing five-states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, 1,300-mile-long CO₂ pipeline.  Industrial CO₂ would be captured, piped, and then sequestered in Christian County, IL.  CO₂ is transported as a liquid under very high pressure.

Ruptures do happen!  In 2020, a break occurred near Satartia, Mississippi. Dozens of people were sickened by the escaping CO₂.  Few regulations exist for CO₂ pipelines.

This private company has proposed constructing a pipeline going thru farm land. Productive land, pastures, woods inhabited with wildlife and birds, and residences would be affected.  Farm land issues include lower crop farm yields, damaged top soil, and severed drainage tiles.  All of these issues will reduce property values.

More than the land owners and farm operators would be affected:  emergency medical services, hospitals, and the public will need Emergency Response Plans.  Local EMS will need special training and equipment.

While this company is receiving a huge tax credit (45Q) and funding from the Federal Government, they would give landowners a token payment for permanent usage of their property.

More information and videos can be found at Coalition to Stop CO₂ Pipelines:  https://noillinoisco2pipelines.org/.

Marilyn Shelley
Colchester, IL