Summary/Abstract
This bill would amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require that the Secretary of the Interior establish and fund a program for state and tribal governments to plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned oil and gas wells. The program would include the restoration of native species’ habitats that have been degraded due to the presence of orphaned wells and associated infrastructure. The bill also calls to consider the number of jobs created or saved through remediation projects, as well as oil and gas jobs lost, when reviewing applicants. The bill would provide a total of $30 million from 2021 to 2030.