These abandoned conventional wells, either unplugged or improperly plugged, can pose serious environmental threats to surrounding communities such as water contamination, methane emission, and can introduce other harmful pollutants to the local ecosystem.
This legislation removes unnecessary burdens on state agencies regarding certain testing procedures, which will maximize federal dollars and lead to more wells being plugged.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection submitted a list of 27,230 abandoned and orphaned conventional oil and gas wells to the US Department of the Interior as part of the federally-funded conventional well plugging program.
[There are an estimated 250,000 abandoned conventional wells in Pennsylvania and that list is growing.
[In 2023, DEP issued more than 512 notices of violation to conventional oil and gas well owners who abandoned wells without plugging them. Read more here.]
“Pennsylvania’s oil and gas sites ushered in the modern petroleum industry, which helped lead the United States to become a global power and energy producer. Now, we must ensure these sites are properly and safely restored,” Rep. Thompson said. “The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act will cut red tape, accelerate environmental rehabilitation, and provide an economic benefit throughout oil and gas producing regions."
“Abandoned, non-operating oil and gas wells are dangerous to the public, the environment, and people's livelihoods,” Rep. Deluzio said. “Unfortunately, Western Pennsylvania has one of the highest concentrations of abandoned wells in the country—including at least 25 just in Beaver County and 219 in Allegheny County. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $4.7 billion to plug these wells across the country, and I’m glad to work with fellow Pennsylvanian Rep. Thompson on the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act to help get these federal funds to plug more abandoned wells faster."
"The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission is pleased to see Congressman Thompson and Congressman Deluzio take the lead in the House on this important legislation. The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act focuses on the goal of addressing orphan wells by eliminating barriers to well plugging efforts and allowing each state to optimize its resources and efficiencies more cost effectively. We urge Congress to pass this bill," said Lori Wrotenbery, Executive Director of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.
Pennsylvania is a member of the Interstate Commission.
Click Here to read the text of the bill.
NewsClip:
2023 Oil & Gas Compliance Reports:
-- DEP Issued At Least 512 Violations To 95 Conventional Oil & Gas Operators For Abandoning Wells Without Plugging Them In 2023; 10 Shale Gas Operators Were Issued NOVs For Abandoning Wells [PaEN]
-- DEP Issues Record 6,860 Notices Of Violation To Conventional Oil & Gas Operators In 2023-- Nearly 52% More Than In 2021; ‘Culture Of Non-Compliance’ Continues [PaEN]
-- 2023 Shale Gas Operator Compliance Report: 1,310 Violations; Explosions; Pad Fire, Evacuation; Uncontrolled Gas Venting; Frack-Outs; Polluting Water Supply; Spills; Pipeline Crashing Thru A Home; More [PaEN]
-- PA Environment Digest: Articles On Oil & Gas Facility Impacts
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Jan. 4 to 12 - 9 More Abandoned Conventional Wells; Leaking Wastewater Tanks; Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area Cleanup Continues; Pipeline Land Slips [PaEN]
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - January 13 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 61 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 13 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
[Posted: January 18, 2024] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment