LETTER: CO2 pipeline would negatively impact western Illinois

Editor, Register-Mail: Driving through rural West Central Illinois, one can see signs “No Easement, CO2 Carbon Pipelines, No Eminent Domain.”

Last December, land owners in or near the proposed pipeline route in 13 Illinois counties: Hancock, Adams, McDonough, Henry, Knox, Fulton, Schuyler, Brown, Pike, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, and Christian received an informational packet from a private company planning 1,300-mile-long CO2 pipeline going through five states: South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois. Industrial CO2 would be captured, piped, and then sequestered in Christian County. 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 green fog of escaping CO2. Few regulations exist for CO2 pipelines. 

This company proposes constructing hazardous liquid pipeline going through agricultural land. Productive land, pastures, woods inhabited with wildlife and birds would be affected. Agriculture land issues include lower crop farm yields, damaged top soil, and severed drainage tiles. All of these issues will reduce property values. 

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

While this private company will receive huge tax credit and funding from the federal government, they will 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