Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (AWRRDA). The bill invests in research and development efforts to identify and remediate abandoned gas and oil wells, which can leak methane, contaminate groundwater, create community safety risks, and limit productive use of land. Last year, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included Senator Cramer and Lujan’s REGROW Act, which built on North Dakota’s program to put displaced energy workers back to work plugging orphaned wells. However, methods for identifying, repurposing, and remediating abandoned wells can be improved.
“North Dakota has led by example remediating abandoned wells and further progress has been made with the passage of the REGROW Act. Our bill keeps this momentum going by investing in new and innovative ways to track the problem and ultimately mitigate the damage so land is returned to productive use, emissions are reduced, and safety issues are addressed,” said Senator Cramer.
The AWRRDA would authorize funding to enhance the abandoned well remediation programs currently authorized in the IIJA by ensuring that funds are dedicated to thoroughly-researched efforts that maximize benefits for affected communities and the energy sector. Specifically, the AWRRDA will support the Department of Energy’s efforts to develop:
- Technology to detect and catalog abandoned wells more rapidly and efficiently, such as remote sensors and optical gas imaging;
- Methods to more accurately quantify methane emissions and how they are affected by well age, geology and other factors;
- Processes to plug and remediate abandoned wells more efficiently and economically;
- Innovative alternative uses for abandoned wells, including geothermal power production or carbon dioxide storage, which will create entirely new economic sectors that leverage abandoned and hazardous infrastructure; and
- An improved understanding of abandoned well impacts on groundwater quality
“In New Mexico and across the country, abandoned wells pose serious environmental harm and public health risks that threaten the health of our communities. That’s why our REGROW Act works to cut methane emissions and lessen public health risks, but more research and development is needed to help identify the thousands of abandoned wells nationwide,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to build upon our work in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to further develop technology to identify and plug abandoned wells to prevent public health risks, create jobs, and boost economic growth.”
“We applaud the bipartisan introduction of the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (AWRRDA). This bill will build off the provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and increase DOE research to reduce leaks from orphaned wells that can contaminate groundwater and release methane. Remediating orphaned wells can reduce harmful emissions and contamination, protect human health, and generate new jobs,” said Michele Stockwell, Executive Director, Bipartisan Policy Center Action.
Click here for bill text.