Last week, the Department of the Interior announced an update of “its guidelines for states applying to federal programs aimed at cleaning up abandoned oil and gas wells.”
“The revised guidance eliminates non-statutory requirements and reduces burdens on State grant recipients. This includes:
- Removing the requirement that States conduct pre- and post- plugging methane measurement.
- Recognizing the discretion States have in identifying and plugging orphaned wells.
- Eliminating the Department’s unnecessary post-award, environmental review and approval process.”
This is a positive development – perhaps unexpected given the current administration’s actions related to environmental progress.
Even so, if this has the intended effect of accelerating methane emissions reductions – will it also create difficulties for offset development projects based on abandoned well closures? Does inclusion of wells in governmental orphan/abandoned well programs impact mineral rights that must be established and owned in order for those development projects to then own the emissions reductions?
Interior made a second announcement (concerning wind and solar projects) you can read here.
Members can learn more about carbon management here.
Members also save hours of research and reading time each week by using our filtered and curated library of ESG/sustainability resources covering over 100 sustainability subject areas – updated daily with practical and credible information compiled without the use of AI.
If you’re not already a member, sign up now and take advantage of our no-risk “100-Day Promise” – during the first 100 days as an activated member, you may cancel for any reason and receive a full refund. But it will probably pay for itself before then.
Are you a client of one of our Partners – SourceIntelligence, Kumi, Ecolumix, Elm Consulting Group International or Impakt IQ? Contact them for exclusive pricing packages for PracticalESG.
Practical Guidance for Companies, Curated for Clarity.
