U.S. Senator Alex Padilla Announces California Eligible for Over $61 Million in Federal Funding to Clean Up Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
February 1, 2022 – WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that California is eligible for $61,495,000 in the first phase of federal funding to plug orphaned oil and gas wells. This funding from the US Department of the Interior comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Padilla voted to pass last year.
The California Natural Resources Agency has documented 5,356 oil, gas, and geothermal orphaned wells on state and private lands.
“California is home to thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells that are endangering California’s communities,” Senator Alex Padilla said. “Abandoned wells are an environmental hazard, leaking harmful methane into the air, polluting drinking water, and accelerating the climate crisis. This is an issue that affects the health of both rural and urban Californians, particularly those living in Los Angeles and Central Valley communities who are forced to live, work, and play next to unplugged oil and gas wells. I am proud to announce the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing California the opportunity to implement a strategic plan to plug wells while protecting communities, creating good-paying jobs, and reducing toxic methane emissions.”