Harrisburg, PA – This week, the Shapiro Administration secured $76,406,474 in federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to address the plugging of orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells, advancing its ongoing efforts to protect public health, reduce methane emissions that contribute to climate change, and create good-paying Pennsylvania jobs.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will utilize this funding, announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Biden-Harris Administration through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), to continue plugging some of the 27,000 known orphaned and abandoned wells across the state. DEP expects to plug hundreds – if not thousands – of orphaned oil and gas wells over the next five years with this funding.
"By prioritizing the capping and plugging of orphaned and abandoned wells, my Administration is making meaningful strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania while also supporting thousands of good-paying energy jobs," said Governor Shapiro. "Pennsylvania has a long legacy as an energy leader – and these wells are proof of that. Now, we are continuing that legacy by plugging and capping them, improving air quality, reducing emissions, protecting public health, and creating jobs. We are rejecting the false choice between protecting jobs and protecting our planet – and my Administration will continue to draw down as much federal funding as possible to do this critical work."
“President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is empowering communities across the country to confront long-standing environmental injustices by making a historic investment to plug orphaned oil and gas wells,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland. “These investments are good for our climate, for the health of our communities, and for American workers. With this additional funding, Pennsylvania will put more people to work to clean up these toxic sites, reduce methane emissions, and safeguard our environment.”
Since day one, the Shapiro Administration has been dedicated to maximizing every opportunity to plug orphaned and abandoned wells in Pennsylvania, successfully plugging over 250 wells so far — more than in the previous nine years combined. The 2024-25 budget allocated $11 million to DEP’s Office of Oil and Gas Management, ensuring that Pennsylvania can fully leverage available federal funds for well plugging.
“Orphan and abandoned wells are a serious risk to the environment and public health in Pennsylvania,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “It’s not a question of if an abandoned well will pose a threat to the environment; it’s a question of when. This new funding will dramatically expand Pennsylvania’s ability to plug the wells that pose the greatest risks as well as others before they become a hazard.”
The $76 million is the first round of Formula Grant funding under the IIJA, which could provide up to $300 million over the next three to five years for well-plugging activities. This follows an initial $25 million grant awarded in 2022, which has already resulted in 224 wells being plugged or contracted for plugging.
DEP is aggressively going after operators who are walking away from wells and stepping in with emergency plugging contracts where needed to protect public health. Through IIJA funding and existing state funding for DEP, the Commonwealth is moving aggressively to tackle this massive contributor of greenhouse gasses.
Pennsylvania is home to more than 350,000 orphaned and abandoned wells, contributing nearly 8 percent of the state's total methane emissions. Methane is especially hazardous, being up to 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide, significantly warming the planet and contributing to harmful air pollution.
DEP has identified over 27,000 orphaned and abandoned wells and is prioritizing those posing the highest risks. New plugging contracts will focus on these high-priority wells, along with nearby wells, to maximize efficiency and preempt environmental threats. Last month, the United Mine Workers of America announced a new apprenticeship program to train workers to plug wells and restore well sites.
Pennsylvania's long history of energy development dates back to 1859, when the first commercial oil well was drilled in Titusville. More information about the orphan and abandoned well plugging program is available on DEP’s website: Rewriting Pennsylvania’s Legacy.
For more information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s website, or follow DEP on Facebook, X, or LinkedIn.
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