Pennsylvania recently received $25 million from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for plugging orphaned and abandoned wells.
The sum is part of the $104 million the state will receive from the legislation.
“Today’s announcement from the Biden Administration is welcome relief, and I’m pleased that the president shares my commitment to addressing this legacy issue,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “Addressing Pennsylvania’s orphaned and abandoned gas and oil wells will not only support our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it will create a cleaner local ecosystem at each well site and energize the economy of our entire commonwealth.”
In Pennsylvania, there are tens of thousands of orphaned and abandoned wells. These wells frequently release methane, a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 28 times that of carbon dioxide, and have the potential to pollute public spaces, recreational areas, and backyards.
Funding will be used to reduce pollution and address environmental, health, and safety concerns. In addition, funding will support the creation of multiple jobs related to the cleanup.
Pennsylvania will receive the largest allocation of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding after Texas.
The Wolf Administration will work with the Department of Interior to immediately remediate high-priority wells and enhance the state’s well plugging program.