Funding is a result of the infrastructure bill passed into law last year
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) announced that as a result of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pennsylvania is slated to receive an initial $104 million in funding to create jobs plugging orphaned oil and gas wells, pending application. The Commonwealth can access more than $330 million in additional funding in future years in formula grants. With at least 8,000 documented “orphan wells,” Pennsylvania is expected to receive more funding than any state except Texas.
“For too long, communities across Pennsylvania have lived with pollution and methane emissions caused by orphan wells,” said Senator Casey. “Thanks to the infrastructure law, the Commonwealth is finally in a position to clean up these environmental hazards and create jobs while doing it.”
Between formula funding and grant eligibility, Pennsylvania will be eligible to receive more than $330 million to plug, remediate and reclaim orphaned oil and gas wells. This process will reduce the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions; clean up residential, commercial and public lands; and create a safer, healthier environment for all Pennsylvanians.
