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DeWitt County Board Hears on Carbon Capture in DeWitt County

Central and southern Illinois are prime locations for carbon storage.

 

That's the message from experts in the field interested in storing carbon dioxide underground in parts of DeWitt County. At the Thursday night DeWitt County Board meeting, Amille Anderson with Vault 4401, explains this project in DeWitt County is part of the ethanol pipeline running through the midwest.

 

 

According to Anderson, this project works with local landowners, and filings for this project goes through State of Illinois agencies. She indicates a new set of filings happens this week.

 

 

The ultimate goal of this effort is for carbon capture in DeWitt County and other locations in central and southern Illinois. Representatives from Navigator told the Board Thursday more about the basics of carbon storage.

 

 

Steve Whitacker with Vault explains there is currently a project at ADM they watch closely. He indicates Illinois has been a focal point for research of these projects.

 

 

According to the representatives from Navigator, this is pure CO2 storage with no other contaminants that will be stored, and explains how the carbon dioxide is separated. 

 

 

Whitacker was asked about the efficacy of the transfer of carbon dioxide into the ground and he indicates there is nothing that is 100 percent risk-free. He explains how to measure the structure of the well for any deficiencies in the structure.

 

 

Similar to wind and solar projects, there is a financial benefit to this project happening in DeWitt County.

 

 

When the question came regarding if the County has any say in this process, State's Attorney Dan Markwell did note the applicants, in this case, the landowners would have to file special use permits and meet any requirements the County has in place.

 

 

Board Chair Dan Matthews indicates with all the changes that took place at the State of Illinois level with wind and solar ordinances, he predicts this will be the next domino to fall for the state to come over the top regulated.

 

 

Also at the Thursday night County Board meeting:

 

>>The Board appointed Dr. Annilee Rohrscheib to serve on the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department Board with the term to expire June 30, 2025. This takes the place of Dr. Tricia Scerba on the Board.

 

>>The Board appointed Holly Gehlbach to the role of County Animal Control Administrator 

 

>>The Board approved a bump in pay for election judges' compensation

 

>>The Board approved the Land Use Committee to authorization to start the text amendment process for wind and solar ordinances 

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