As a Kent County commissioner and a parent, I care deeply about tackling the climate crisis now, not down the road. Michigan should be embracing the clean energy economy to lower families’ bills and reduce pollution.

Here in Michigan, the frequent severe storms and air quality warnings this summer have sent my asthmatic kiddo inside and underscore the reality that climate change is already impacting our lives.

Kris Pachla is a Kent County commissioner, father of two and former physics teacher. (Courtesy photo)

Here in Kent County, we’ve spent time, money and political capital improving the systems that keep our communities safe, from water infrastructure to waste-stream innovation. We’ve seen what happens when systems fail or don’t prioritize our communities. Whether it’s PFAS in the water or outdated infrastructure pushed past its limits, the message is the same: We need smart, proactive, and equitable solutions. That’s why I’m paying close attention to the carbon capture legislation now under consideration in Lansing.

Right now, lawmakers in Lansing are grappling with what guardrails to put on future Carbon Sequestration and Underground Storage (CCUS) facilities here in Michigan. The Michigan Senate lobbed the first volley and has passed a bill package aimed at some level of regulation. But Michigan needs to lead, not be the path of least resistance on this important issue. This technology has gained traction as a potential climate solution and on the surface, it makes sense. We can capture CO₂ emissions and store them underground to prevent harm to our atmosphere. But for all its appeal, carbon capture remains an emerging technology, and one with real risks if we don’t get the details right. 

This is where the state has a clear responsibility. If Michigan chooses to move forward with carbon capture projects, it must do so with rigorous guardrails in place. Guardrails that prioritize public health, local input, and long-term environmental security. Our residents should not have to trade safety for innovation.

Incidents in Illinois and Mississippi point to what could happen without adequate guardrails. When a pipeline ruptured in Mississippi, the amount of carbon dioxide released was large enough to cause cars to stop functioning locally and hospitalize 45 people. In Illinois, operations at a carbon sequestration site had to be halted for at least 10 months due to leaks. Troublingly, project owners failed to alert local or state authorities when the issue was first detected. These leaks pose risks that could impact the safety of groundwater. And, as a Michigander, the safety of our community’s water is something I take very seriously. 

We cannot afford to make the same mistakes. That’s why if we move forward with this technology, I support putting five commonsense requirements in place for any CCUS projects in Michigan:

  1. Leak detection must be mandatory at every CCUS site. No exceptions.
  2. Emergency responders need training and resources, so they’re not left guessing in the face of a crisis.
  3. Facilities must be prohibited near critical water sources or densely populated areas where risks multiply quickly.
  4. Polluters, not families, should foot the bill. A fair, right-sized fee structure must ensure that sequestration companies are financially responsible for the full costs of their operations.
  5. Captured carbon must outweigh emissions produced. If the math doesn’t add up, the technology isn’t ready.

As a local official, I know what it means to operate without enough authority to prevent harm but still be the one people call when something goes wrong. That’s why it matters so much that state policy gets this right. Once these facilities are in the ground, it’s too late to wish we’d asked more questions.

The truth is, Michigan has every opportunity to lead in the clean energy economy. We have the talent, the infrastructure, and the will. And Michigan deserves a clean energy future that’s both bold and responsible. But that doesn’t happen by default. Let’s not rush to install pipelines and infrastructure that we’ll regret a decade from now. We must make sure we’re building systems that stand the test of time and actually protect the people they’re meant to serve. If we want to build public trust in climate solutions, that trust must be earned through transparency, rigorous safety measures and a commitment to listening to the people most impacted by policy decisions.

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