Champaign County Board passes year-long carbon sequestration moratorium near Mahomet Aquifer

The Champaign County Board has enacted a 12-month moratorium on carbon sequestration activities to safeguard the Mahomet Aquifer, a critical drinking water source for nearly one million residents in Central Illinois. This decision follows community concerns about potential contamination from CO2 injection, particularly after recent leaks at a nearby carbon capture facility. The moratorium aims to give the board time to develop zoning regulations that protect the aquifer and address the risks associated with carbon sequestration. Local officials and environmental advocates view this as a necessary measure to ensure public health and safety, with some calling for a permanent ban in the future. The Mahomet Aquifer has been designated as a sole-source aquifer by the Illinois EPA, highlighting the urgency of protecting this vital resource. Officials hope that collaboration across the 14 counties that share the aquifer will lead to comprehensive protections at the state level.