Deluzio, Thompson Announce Bipartisan Bill to Speed Up Plugging of Dangerous Orphan Wells

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) and Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA-15) today introduced the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act designed to empower states to maximize their operational flexibility when plugging abandoned oil wells. These abandoned wells, either unplugged or improperly plugged, can pose serious environmental threats to surrounding communities such as water contamination, methane emission, and introducing other harmful pollutants to the local ecosystem. 

This legislation removes unnecessary burdens on state agencies regarding certain testing procedures, ultimately resulting in more wells being plugged and maximizing federal dollars. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, there are 27,230 documented abandoned and orphan oil and gas wells across the Commonwealth. 

“Abandoned, non-operating oil and gas wells are dangerous to the public, the environment, and people's livelihoods,” said Rep. Deluzio. “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 to help get these federal funds to plug more abandoned wells faster." 

“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." 

Click to read the full bill text.  

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