Rep. Lamb introduces bill in House to conduct research on abandoned wells

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In the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-PA) introduced legislation last week to establish an abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program at the Department of Energy.

Lamb sponsored the bill, the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act, with U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK). Both are members of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.

There are tens of thousands of known abandoned oil and gas wells across the country which leak methane into the atmosphere. This can pose health and safety risks and pollute local groundwater. Experts estimate there are hundreds of thousands, if not millions, more abandoned or orphaned wells across the country that are not known. This bill would help improve data collection on the location of abandoned wells; advance plugging, remediation, and reclamation efforts; and improve environmental remediation practices.

“This commonsense legislation will create good jobs in the oil and gas sector and improve our environment,” Lamb said. “Pennsylvania’s energy resources have powered our country for over a century. Now is the time to address this environmental risk and strengthen the energy industry through cutting-edge science and innovation.”

The bill authorizes up to $30 million for the program in 2022, increasing to $35 million in fiscal year 2026. It was cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) and Frank Lucas (R-OK).