Decatur Residents Demand EPA Deny Permit for Broadwing Energy’s $1 Billion Natural Gas Plant

The hearing that could decide Decatur’s energy future

Members of Illinois People’s Action (IPA) packed an Illinois EPA public hearing Thursday night in Decatur with a single demand: deny the permit for Broadwing Energy’s proposed natural gas plant.

The project, approved by the Decatur City Council in February, would build a billion-dollar cogeneration facility at ADM’s Decatur campus along Brush College Road. The plant would produce electricity and steam for ADM and Google.

But residents say the environmental cost is too high.

2 million tons of CO2 under Lake Decatur

The core of the opposition centers on what IPA says is a threat to Lake Decatur, the city’s primary drinking water source.

According to the group, the proposed project would inject approximately 2 million tons of CO2 beneath the lake as part of its carbon capture and storage plan.

“It’s very important for our drinking water, for cooking water, for restaurants and hospitals and long-term care facilities, for any business that needs clean water for their work,” said Verlyn Rosenberger, a member of Illinois People’s Action.

Broadwing Energy pushed back against the criticism. Company representative Matt Mangum called the project a win for the state.

“This project represents a major step forward for Illinois, pairing established technologies and scale to reduce emissions while strengthening the state’s energy future,” Mangum said.

EPA says application meets regulations

Illinois EPA officials told the hearing that Broadwing’s application was deemed complete and meets applicable state and federal environmental regulations.

But many community members questioned how the agency would ensure the power plant operates safely long term.

“That is technically outside the scope of this permit for this evening, so we really can’t speak to that,” said Illinois EPA Spokesperson Kim Biggs.

The draft permit requires Broadwing to carefully log operational data and share it with the Illinois EPA. The agency has one year from the completed permit application date to issue a final decision.

A community divided

The project has split Decatur. City officials highlighted the economic benefits, including jobs and improved air quality through carbon capture. Opponents say the risks to Lake Decatur outweigh those gains.

Rosenberger accused state regulators of prioritizing profit over people.

“We are Illinoisans, and the Illinois EPA needs to protect Illinois residents. They do what they can to get all the money they can get. They don’t know the people. They don’t care about the people. They don’t care about the community. It’s all about the money,” Rosenberger said.

The hearing was held at the Macon County Fairgrounds Pride of the Prairie Center at 3700 N. Westlawn Ave. The public was invited to review the draft permit online before the meeting.

The Illinois EPA’s final ruling could reshape Decatur’s industrial landscape and set a precedent for carbon storage projects across the state.