News Local/State

Rauner Likely To Sign Aquifer Bill, Says Chapin Rose

By Daniel Baker
 
State Senator Chapin Rose spoke at a Mahomet Aquifer Task Force meeting on Monday June 18. The task force member discussed with the state advisory panel how to protect the aquifer from gas leaks in the future.

State Senator Chapin Rose spoke at a Mahomet Aquifer Task Force meeting on Monday June 18. The task force member discussed with the state advisory panel how to protect the aquifer from gas leaks in the future. Daniel Baker/Illinois Public Media

State Senator Chapin Rose says he believes Governor Bruce Rauner will sign his bill placing more requirements on the Manlove underground gas storage field in Champaign County.

HB4746--recently passed by the state General Assembly--would require People's Gas to pay for state-conducted yearly inspections at the storage field. People’s Gas would also be required to quickly notify nearby residents and government agencies whenever a gas leak occurs.

"His agencies I mean, the Department of Natural Resources wants this bill, that’s under Governor Rauner’s authority, so I’m not anticipating too much of a problem here getting this bill signed," said Rose. 

The Republican from Mahomet says he believes the Governor will receive the bill by early fall. The legislation comes in response to a 2016 gas leak at the Manlove gas storage field, which contaminated nearby private water wells.

Rose’s comments after a Mahomet Aquifer Task Force meeting on Monday June 18. Members of the state advisory panel discussed how to protect the aquifer from gas leaks in the future. Task Force members also heard from residents who are suing People’s Gas over the 2016 gas leak.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated incorrectly that State Senator Chapin Rose is from Jacksonville. He grew up in Jacksonville but now lives in Mahomet.