In a last-minute legislative move, the Illinois state legislature has amended a proposal related to dental care, paving the way for carbon capture pipelines. 

Senate Bill 1289, which recently passed both the House and the Senate, aims to address environmental concerns while promoting carbon-capture technology.

The bill includes a two-year statewide moratorium on new construction of carbon capture pipelines, pending the adoption of revised federal safety standards. However, it establishes provisions for carbon capture permits, minimum standards, and the deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technology. 

Unlike in the past, when there was no legislation specific to CCS, the legislation outlined step-by-step rules for capturing carbon dioxide. The captured gas is transported via pipelines to designated sequestration sites, where it will either harden or dissolve deep underground.

Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to sign the bill into law. Once enacted, decades of soil and air monitoring at injection sites will be required. Additionally, the legislation creates a fund to address any environmental issues that may arise while implementing carbon capture projects.

The debate surrounding the bill was intense, with proponents and opponents voicing their opinions on the Senate floor. Capture Jobs Now, a coalition representing business, labor, and agriculture interests, praised the legislation.

They believe that Illinois is uniquely positioned to benefit from carbon-capture technology as the plan includes strong landowner protections, rigorous environmental monitoring, and substantial investments in environmental justice communities.

“This measure allows us to decarbonize our environment without jeopardizing our economy,” the coalition stated.