Carbon Capture & Storage in the Illinois Basin
Overview of CCS development and geological potential
About the Illinois Basin
The Illinois Basin represents one of North America's most promising regions for carbon capture and storage (CCS) deployment. Spanning portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, the basin contains extensive geological formations particularly well-suited for permanent CO₂ storage.
The Mt. Simon Sandstone formation, located at depths of 4,000 to 10,000 feet throughout much of the basin, offers exceptional storage capacity and favorable geological characteristics including high porosity, permeability, and an effective caprock seal.
Why the Illinois Basin?
The region's proximity to major industrial CO₂ sources, including ethanol plants, power generation facilities, and other industrial operations, makes it an ideal location for CCS deployment. Combined with supportive state policies and established regulatory frameworks, the Illinois Basin is positioned to play a critical role in achieving regional and national decarbonization goals.
Current Projects
The Illinois Basin is home to the world's first large-scale bio-CCS project at ADM's Decatur facility, which has successfully stored millions of metric tons of CO₂ since 2017. Multiple additional projects are currently in various stages of development, from feasibility studies to EPA Class VI permit applications.
These projects span multiple counties across Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky, representing both ethanol production facilities and other industrial sources seeking to reduce their carbon footprint through geological storage.
Interactive Project Map
Explore the locations and details of CCS projects across the Illinois Basin region.
View CCS Projects Map →CCS Regulation in Illinois
Federal UIC Class VI Permitting
The EPA's Underground Injection Control (UIC) Class VI program regulates the injection of CO₂ for geologic sequestration. Class VI wells require comprehensive permitting that includes detailed site characterization, injection zone analysis, area of review assessment, corrective action plans, financial responsibility demonstration, testing and monitoring plans, injection well plugging plans, and post-injection site care. This rigorous federal framework ensures the long-term containment and monitoring of injected CO₂.
Illinois SAFE CCS Act
Illinois has enacted the SAFE CCS Act (2024) to provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for carbon storage development. The legislation establishes state-level oversight while complementing federal EPA Class VI permitting requirements, creating a dual regulatory structure that ensures thorough environmental protection and operational safety.
State and Federal Coordination: Indiana and Kentucky are also developing supportive policy frameworks to facilitate responsible CCS deployment across the Illinois Basin region, working in coordination with federal EPA requirements.
Geological Storage Potential
Research indicates that the Illinois Basin has the capacity to store billions of metric tons of CO₂. The Mt. Simon Sandstone alone is estimated to provide storage capacity sufficient for decades of regional industrial emissions. The overlying Eau Claire shale formation serves as an effective seal, ensuring long-term containment.
Ongoing geological characterization work continues to refine our understanding of the basin's storage potential, pressure dynamics, and optimal injection strategies to maximize storage efficiency while ensuring safety and environmental protection.