Office of Orphan Wells to Help Administer $4.7 billion in Orphan Well Closure Funding
(Washington, D.C. – January 10, 2023) The Department of Interior today announced the creation of an Office of Orphan Wells to help administer the $4.7 billion in orphan well closure funding provided by the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.
“This is an important step for efficiently and effectively distributing these federal funds where they are needed most. The more than 120,000 documented orphan oil and gas wells nationwide leak climate pollution and pose direct threats to people’s health. Properly plugging these inactive wells– which have no solvent owner of record – is critical to reduce methane emissions, toxic air pollution and groundwater contamination. It also creates jobs in oil and gas communities. We look forward to continued work with Congressional allies in finding and closing orphan wells across the country.”
- Adam Peltz, EDF Director and Senior Attorney for Energy Transition
With more than 3 million members, Environmental Defense Fund creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. To do so, EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships to turn solutions into action. edf.org
Media Contact
Latest press releases
-
EDF Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Virginia Clean Economy Act
July 1, 2025 -
Latest Senate Bill Only Harms Clean Energy When More is Needed
June 28, 2025 -
Energy Commission Provides a Balanced Roadmap to Stabilize California Gasoline Markets
June 27, 2025 -
New Debt Financing Structure Published to Scale Oil and Gas Methane Emissions Reductions
June 24, 2025 -
The Biggest Conservation Success Story You’ve Never Heard Of!
June 24, 2025 -
Supreme Court Ruling Does Not Address Merits of California Vehicle Standards, Does Determine that Fuel Industry Has Standing to Challenge Them
June 20, 2025