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* 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…
.@GovPritzker was asked about ADM temporarily halting carbon injections below their Decatur facility. He said it was "a good decision" and that "we got to continue to pay attention to it." Full comment: https://t.co/XvfAmjxlDW pic.twitter.com/HxKel1uCDX
— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) October 2, 2024
Pritzker's full comment on HB 5874/SB 3968: pic.twitter.com/hTlsO7YjCT
— Brenden Moore (@brendenmoore13) October 2, 2024
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 12:16 pm
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Illinois’ access to loads of freshwater is a major boost to our state’s chances of weathering the worst aspects of climate change. We should do everything in our power to protect water quality and access in Illinois, even if at the short-term cost of jobs now, given that it will be paramount for our longterm sustainability and economic viability in the future.
Comment by TJ Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 12:54 pm
Once contaminated, it cannot be undone. The threat to the aquifer is too great. This technology was always experimental. Hey, sometimes experiments fail. In this case it’s a double failure because of the technical leakage and the foot dragging to react and report. I have little confidence in a mega corp like ADM or others playing by the rules. Their histories suggest they won’t.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 1:11 pm
I certainly am no scientist but I wonder about injecting anything under ground it can’t be good in the end
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 1:15 pm
All Champaign County homes get drinking water from the Mahomet Aquifer. IF the aquifer can no longer be used, the value of all those high-end homes in Champaign & Urbana would be zero. If you live in East Central IL, protect your home’s value and tell your state legislators to ban carbon sequestration immediately.
Comment by Zenith Kid Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 2:01 pm
I am a strong supporter of JB and I am also very supportive of green/sustainability issues. But carbon capture and sequestration of this sort should only be in movies like Idiocracy.
It is the sort of foolish approach that turns people into skeptics and critics of the environmental movement because there will be “accidents” and the blow back will be huge.
Comment by former southerner Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 2:33 pm
That’s my water they are talking about.
Source
The Mahomet aquifer is the primary source of drinking water for Normal and more than 500,000 people in 14 Illinois counties.
Wells
The Town of Normal Water Department uses 12 wells to access the aquifer, including eight within the city limits and four outside.
Treatment
The untreated groundwater is pumped to the Water Treatment Plant, where it is softened, filtered, fluoridated, and disinfected.
Advocacy
The Mahomet Aquifer Advocacy Alliance is dedicated to preserving the aquifer as a safe and reliable source of water.
Protection
The Normal City Council has joined efforts to get the Mahomet Aquifer recognized as a “sole source water supply”.
Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:06 pm
A reactionary ban would be the wrong response. The issue with CO2 is that it can lower the PH level of the aquifer which could cause further weathering of rocks leading to higher counts of dissolved minerals - The injection is happening significantly deeper than the aquifer. ADM is smart to take a very cautious approach on this. There are a lot of political interests looking to ban CCS and we should let the science guide decisions.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Oct 2, 24 @ 3:17 pm