Legislation introduced this week in Illinois would impose stricter regulations and increased scrutiny on proposed carbon dioxide pipeline and sequestration projects.

The bills, Senate Bill 3930 and House Bill 5814 come amid growing interest in capturing carbon emissions from industrial facilities and storing them underground. 

Proponents say the technology is crucial for fighting climate change, but residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about safety and potential environmental damage.

The new legislation would require extensive research and state permitting before companies could apply for permits to build pipelines. It would also mandate studies on pipeline setbacks from homes and businesses, life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of proposed projects, and alternatives to carbon capture.

“There is not any federal law, any state law, nothing right now that says you cannot be located ‘x’ distance from people’s homes, schools, daycares,” said Jenny Cassel, an attorney involved in drafting the bill.

“The problem is the federal government is never going to do it.”

The legislation would further require companies to model how a carbon dioxide plume would spread in case of a pipeline leak, something not currently required. It would also mandate companies set aside funds for future cleanup and maintenance of sequestration sites.

“Industry is trying to hand the keys to the state as soon as they’re done and say, ‘Good Luck with that,’” Cassel said. “We need to set aside real cash to address if something goes wrong.”

Previous efforts to build carbon capture projects in Illinois have faced opposition from landowners and local communities. The legislation would also limit the use of eminent domain to seize land for pipelines.

“We need our moratorium bill, and we need more study,” said Kathy Campbell, a resident who opposed a now-canceled pipeline project.

The Illinois Farm Bureau supports a separate bill that would ban the use of eminent domain for carbon dioxide pipelines, while industry groups are backing legislation that would allow companies to access underground storage sites even if landowners object.

The fate of the various proposals remains uncertain, but they highlight the growing debate over carbon capture technology and the need for regulations to ensure its safe and responsible deployment.