Tazewell County residents urge caution on green energy projects, warn of CO2 pipeline leak

Two residents used the public-comment portion of the Tazewell County Board meeting to applaud county officials and press for caution on energy and pipeline projects.

Tim Barrett of Tremont opened public comment by thanking board members "for their efforts to do what is best for Tazewell County" and urged them to "become informed of the many problems of green energy systems." Barrett said he appreciated board members who vote according to local concerns even when state law pressures differ.

Elton Rokey, who identified himself with the group 'Tazewell County, stopping the CO2 pipeline,' described what he said were safety failures at a carbon capture and sequestration project connected to ADM near Decatur. Rokey said inspectors recently found a leak that he described as ongoing for about four years, alleged that emergency shutoffs "didn't work properly," and said casings had corroded. "They have a major leak in one of their wells," he said, urging residents to attend a roundtable with state representatives to raise concerns.

Board members did not debate or respond substantively during the public-comment period. Rokey recommended residents speak directly with state lawmakers at a community roundtable; he specifically named two Republican representatives expected to attend a local meeting the next day.

The comments were part of an otherwise routine board agenda that included a presentation from United Way and two proclamations. No formal action on energy or pipeline policies was taken during the meeting.

Next steps: the board did not schedule any follow-up item on the pipeline or green-energy questions during this session.