Expansion of Marquis Energy LLC Threat to Public Water Supplies.

By Joyce Blumenshine

Additional concerns regarding the planned high-pressure carbon dioxide deep injection well for Marquis Energy LLC, Hennepin, Putnam County, include risks to the shallow groundwater aquifer which supplies water to several communities and many private wells. The Illinois State Geological Survey groundwater aquifer mapping shows the Putnam County Illinois River Valley region as high risk for groundwater contamination due to sand and gravel groundwater levels over 50 feet deep below a range of 5 ft. or so of ground cover. Sand and gravel can allow contaminants to travel in unexpected directions and more quickly that other underground soils. Key concerns with CO2 injection wells include movement of the CO2 into aquifer levels and reacting with water to form carbonic acid.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website tracker listing for CO2 Class VI injection wells shows September 8th as the predicted posting of the Draft EPA permit for the Marquis deep injection well. Concerned members of the public will be commenting and requests for a public hearing have already been sent to EPA. For information on what is carbon capture and sequestration, including concerns regarding CO2 injection wells, see the Coalition to Stop CO2 Pipelines website.