PA Congressmen introduce bill giving states flexibility when addressing abandoned wells

A bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) and cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), would give states flexibility when it comes to capping abandoned oil wells.

The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act would remove burdens on state agencies regarding certain testing procedures, officials said. The bill would help states maximize federal dollars and lead to more wells being plugged. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, the state has more than 27,000 documented abandoned or orphaned oil and gas wells.

The abandoned well can pose serious environmental threats when not properly plugged, and can lead to water contamination, methane emission and other harmful pollutants being released into surrounding communities.

“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,” 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.”

Several industry and environmental groups support the bill, including: the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, ConservAmerica, the Wildlife Management Institute, Heritage Action, and the Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

“Abandoned, non-operating oil and gas wells are dangerous to the public, the environment, and people’s livelihoods,” 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.”