Agency: Department of the Interior
Description:
To establish a program to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells located on Federal land. The program will identify orphaned wells and distribute funding, with priority given to wells with high environmental and public health risks. The program must seek to identify potentially responsible parties. Additionally, the program will measure or estimate the environmental and public health impacts of orphaned wells, particularly on communities of color, low-income communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities.
Bill Section:
40601
New or Existing:
New
Potential Cost:
$250,000,000
Timeline:
FY22-30
Implementation Status/Rulemaking:
On May 25, 2022, DOI awarded $33 million to FY22 projects: Source
On June 8, 2023, DOI awarded $63.8 million to FY23 projects: Source
On February 22, 2024, DOI awarded $50.5 million to FY24 projects: Source
A map of DOI IIJA-funded projects, including the Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, And Restoration, is available Source
TCS Notes:
Orphaned wells on Federal land or Tribal land are defined as wells not used for an authorized purpose – such as production, injection, or monitoring – and where the operator either cannot be located or is unable to plug, remediate, and reclaim the well site.