CO2 pipeline opponents focus their efforts on Tazewell County Wednesday night

TAZEWELL COUNTY (25News Now) - Opponents of a proposed CO2 pipeline from Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Decatur intend to make their concerns known to elected officials Wednesday night in Pekin.

More than 1,000 petitions against Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline project will be presented to the Tazewell County Board at its monthly meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, according to a release sent to the news media.

The pipeline would carry carbon dioxide through 10 Illinois counties, including Knox, Stark, Peoria, Tazewell and McLean

The company is moving forward on its plan even though a second firm, Navigator CO2 Ventures, has withdrawn its proposal for another pipeline through the area.

In a statement, Joyce Harant, president of Citizens Against Predatory Pipelines, said the group recently filed “expert” testimony with the Illinois Commerce Commission on a motion to dismiss Wolf’s application.

An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for January of next year, with a final decision expected next May.

“We continue to need counties like Tazewell to do more than observe. It is time to join the fight to protect our health, safety, and property rights. Statements of opposition, moratoriums on pipeline activity, and strengthened zone are all very important,” Harant said.

At a hearing in late September, opponents watched as Wolf Carbon and partner Archer Daniels Midland presented their case to Tazewell County officials.

“We know that this is a safe technology,” said Greg Webb, vice president of State Government Affairs at ADM, which has its North American headquarters in Decatur.

“We get a substantial environmental benefit by capturing CO2 and we get substantial economic development as a result of that,” said Webb.

Wolf Carbon and ADM want to start construction of the pipeline in 2025.

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