Don’t Let Orphan Wells Destroy Environmental Progress

Target: Michael Regan, Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Goal: Find solutions to nation’s growing orphan oil and gas well problem.

An estimated 120,000 “orphan” oil and gas wells are sprawled across America. These unplugged and abandoned wells lack an operator. They likely leak large amounts of methane and carcinogenic substances. And the companies that abandon these wells often escape responsibility. If the wells do eventually get plugged, it’s typically at taxpayer expense…to the tune of billions of dollars.

The state of Colorado, home to roughly 1,000 orphan wells, has attempted to lessen this burden by going after an abandoned well’s prior operators for financial liability. But even this approach is still costing the state – and taxpayers – an overwhelming amount of cash every year. And until these wells are plugged, the environmental dangers remain ever-present.

Sign the petition below to demand the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invest in a proactive, strengthened approach for tackling the epidemic of orphaned wells.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Administrator Regan,

The EPA’s Superfund may offer some support for orphan well cleanup costs, but the waiting list is long and the financial gaps caused by irresponsible operators keep growing. Even proactive states like Colorado are dealing with huge losses that ultimately come at the expense of taxpayers. And the economic crunch perhaps pales in comparison to the environmental and public health damage wrought by the 120,000-plus orphaned wells currently in the United States.

Lack of compliance and lack of enforcement of regulations are not helping. Please explore and implement better options for decommissioning these hazards and for holding reckless parties fully accountable.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Strange Happenings