* Background is here if you need it. Brenden Moore…

Archer Daniels Midland Co. has temporarily paused carbon dioxide injections below its North American headquarters in Decatur after tests revealed a seepage of fluids from a second monitoring well.

In a letter sent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Sept. 27, the agribusiness giant said that preliminary data received earlier that week indicated a potential movement of brine (salt water) between different rock formations around 5,000 feet below the surface.

“We notified the U.S. EPA about this matter, and we’re conducting additional diagnostic tests in consultation with U.S. EPA and external experts,” said ADM spokesperson Jackie Anderson. “We will share additional information as we learn more.”

The company said the additional testing will take place over the next two weeks with the goal of validating the preliminary data and providing “greater visibility into the well conditions.”

The revelation comes just over six weeks after the EPA cited ADM for allegedly violating the Safe Drinking Water Act and the terms of its carbon capture and sequestration permit for activity related to its other deep monitoring well.

* From ADM…

(W)e recently conducted a noise survey at deep monitoring well VW#1. Preliminary data received this week (Tuesday) indicated potential brine (salty water) movement between different formations at a depth of approximately 5,000 feet. The data suggests a flow across or near the Zone 3 lower packer, creating the potential ability to allow flow between zones. Prior to receiving this preliminary data, there had been no indication of this potential condition. Given the extreme depth of this anomaly and the multiple layers of shale and other confining rock up to the surface, there is no risk or impact to the surface or groundwater sources or any threat to public health.

* Excerpt from Protect the Mahomet Aquifer Coalition press release…

While ADM has paused injections and begun additional tests, industry and the US EPA are advancing three additional projects are currently proposed to inject carbon dioxide through the Mahomet Aquifer and store it there.

“This is another wake-up call that we cannot ignore,” said Andrew Rehn, Director of Climate Policy at Prairie Rivers Network. “If this happens at ADM, a company with years of CCS experience, what will happen when more projects are launched? The Mahomet Aquifer is simply too important to gamble with, and we need an immediate ban on carbon sequestration projects beneath it.”

The Mahomet Aquifer, which supplies drinking water to nearly one million people in Central Illinois, was designated a sole source aquifer by the U.S. EPA in 2015, meaning any contamination could have devastating consequences for the region. Despite this, several CCS projects are being considered that would inject carbon directly into or near the aquifer, increasing the risk of contamination.

Coalition Pushes for Legislative Action
In response to these risks, the Protect the Mahomet Aquifer campaign is rallying behind proposed legislation that would ban CCS projects under the Mahomet Aquifer and its recharge areas. State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign) and Representative Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) introduced bills earlier this year to prohibit carbon sequestration activity over, under, or through a sole-source aquifer, with both bills expected to be discussed during the November veto session.

Meanwhile, the Champaign County Board Environmental and Land Use Committee is considering a ban on carbon capture and sequestration through and under the Mahomet Aquifer and its recharge areas at its meeting on October 10. The campaign – alongside elected officials – will hold a Protect the Mahomet Aquifer Rally at the Brookens Administrative Center in Urbana prior to that meeting.

“The leaks at ADM’s facility should serve as a red flag to lawmakers,” said Richart. “We can’t afford to wait for a disaster. Legislators need to act now and pass the ban on carbon sequestration beneath the Mahomet Aquifer.”

Thoughts?

…Adding… From today’s presser…