oil wells
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Millions of Californians face wildfire risks near oil wells
Millions of Californians live near oil and gas wells that are increasingly in the path of wildfires, raising concerns about explosions, pollution and infrastructure damage.
In short:
- More than 100,000 oil wells in the western US, mainly in California, are at high risk of wildfires.
- Nearly 3 million people live within 3,200 feet of these wells, facing heightened health and safety risks.
- Historic and projected data show a significant increase in wildfire threats to oil infrastructure.
Key quote:
“One of the things that surprised me was just the extent of how many oil wells had been in wildfire burn areas in the past, and how much this was impacting people in California — and is likely to in the coming century.”
— David J.X. González, assistant professor of environmental health sciences at UC Berkeley
Why this matters:
Wildfires near oil wells pose serious health risks and environmental hazards. With climate change intensifying wildfires, protective measures and regulations become increasingly urgent.
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New Mexico oil reform bill collapses amid industry opposition
New Mexico’s attempt to pass a reform bill to address the state's unplugged oil wells collapsed after industry groups opposed the final proposal they had helped shape.
In short:
- New Mexico's oil industry initially supported negotiations to address over 70,000 unplugged wells but opposed the final reform bill, leading to its collapse.
- The proposed bill aimed to increase financial accountability for well plugging and establish safety zones around wells.
- Industry lobbying and internal disagreements among stakeholders weakened the bill, preventing it from passing the House.
Key quote:
“We are continuing to work with policymakers to advance balanced regulations that enhance safety, sustainability and environmental stewardship and help ensure that American energy is produced responsibly from start to finish.”
— Holly Hopkins, American Petroleum Institute
Why this matters:
Unplugged wells pose significant environmental and public health risks, leaking toxic substances. Without reform, taxpayers may bear the financial burden of cleanup, exacerbating the already critical issue of orphan wells nationwide.
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“Super-emitting” oil wells near Denver are releasing 142% more pollution per hour than state average, CSU study finds
Adams County had three wells with massive emissions, the largest leaking 165 pounds of methane per hour. State will use the data to prioritize plugging orphan wells.
Image by drpepperscott230 from Pixabay
States struggle to plug oil wells with infrastructure law cash
E&E News reporter Shelby Wells writes about the thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells across the country that pose environmental and health risks as they remain open and unused, emitting toxic chemicals and gases into the air and groundwater.
In a nutshell:
The estimated 800,000 orphaned wells in the US contribute to methane emissions and pose a threat to local ecosystems. Although the bipartisan infrastructure law allocated $4.7 billion for plugging these wells, states are facing challenges in finding enough crews, dealing with rising costs, and developing methods to locate and prioritize the wells. The new federal funding has sparked concerns about its effectiveness and whether it will adequately address the problem.
Key quote:
“Bidenomics and President Biden’s Investing in America agenda are enabling us to confront long-standing environmental injustices by making a historic investment to plug orphaned wells throughout the country,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement.
The big picture:
Abandoned oil and gas wells pose significant health risks to both the environment and nearby communities. These wells can leak toxic chemicals and gases into the air and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources and leading to respiratory issues and other health problems for local residents. Methane emissions from these wells also contribute to climate change and exacerbate air pollution, further impacting public health. The presence of abandoned wells underscores the importance of proper well-plugging and remediation efforts to safeguard the well-being of communities and mitigate environmental hazards associated with the oil and gas industry.
Read the article at E&E News.
Abandoned oil wells are a problem in the ocean as well as on land. Hannah Seo wrote about tens of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in The Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, toothless regulation leaves climate warming gas emissions unchecked.
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Newsletter
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Pennsylvania expects $400 million in infrastructure funds to begin plugging thousands of abandoned oil wells
One scientist studying toxic emissions from the wells called the amount “woefully inadequate” in a state where officials say there are probably 250,000 such abandoned drill sites that need remediation.
Photo by Lucas van Oort on Unsplash
PA gets federal money to plug dangerous gas, oil wells
Federal infrastructure money will help PA plug gas and oil wells that contribute to climate change, but some say it will take more to fix the problem.
Petition circulators are telling California voters that a ballot measure would ban new oil and gas wells near homes. In fact, it would do the opposite
The canvassers are backed by the oil industry in its quest to stop a new law that bans wells near residential areas and imposes new environmental controls. If petition circulators succeed in gathering enough signatures, the law would be blocked until the 2024 election.
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