Abandoned well contractors navigate Trump admin uncertainty
- Pennsylvania has plugged 300 abandoned oil and gas wells since 2023 amid federal funding uncertainty caused by the Trump administration's actions, as stated by Governor Josh Shapiro.
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocated $4.7 billion to plug orphaned wells, which are crucial for reducing methane emissions.
- Shapiro's administration has filed lawsuits challenging the freeze on more than $400 million in well-related funds, asserting that it affects access to $1.2 billion in federal funding.
- Contractors face difficulties in staffing and investments due to the unpredictable federal funding situation, which has been described as 'very uncertain.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Federal money to plug Pa.’s dangerous wells is unfrozen, but Trump admin uncertainty plagues contractors
Pennsylvania has supercharged the number of abandoned wells it plugs thanks to federal money, but the future of that work is unclear as lawsuits play out.
Abandoned well contractors navigate Trump admin uncertainty
HARRISBURG — As Pennsylvania celebrates plugging 300 abandoned oil and gas wells since 2023, ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration over hundreds of millions of federal dollars are creating uncertainty for those doing the work on the ground. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, one of the Biden administration’s signature policy achievements, set aside $4.7 billion to plug orphaned wells, which can leak methane — a powerful gree…
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Federal Money to Plug Pa.’s Dangerous Wells Is Unfrozen, but Trump Admin Uncertainty Plagues Contractors
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — As Pennsylvania celebrates plugging 300 abandoned oil and gas wells since 2023, ongoing lawsuits against the Trump administration over hundreds of millions of federal dollars are creating uncertainty for those…
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