Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act
- Bill Number
- S. 818
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Last Updated
- 2025-04-23T11:41:33Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act aims to address environmental risks from abandoned oil and gas wells by directing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create a research, development, and demonstration program. This program focuses on improving methods to locate, repair, and repurpose these wells, while reducing issues like methane emissions and groundwater pollution.
Key Provisions
- Definition: An "abandoned well" is defined as an oil or gas well that is no longer in use, has not been sealed (plugged), and has no expected future role in oil or gas activities.
- Program Establishment: Within 120 days of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Energy must launch the program in partnership with federal and state agencies and other groups. The program targets improvements in:
- Collecting data on abandoned well locations.
- Techniques for sealing (plugging), cleaning up (remediation), restoring land (reclamation), and finding new uses for these wells.
- Ways to reduce environmental harm from both known and unknown abandoned wells.
- Specific Activities: The program will fund research on:
- Advanced detection tools, such as remote sensors, LiDAR (a laser-based mapping technology), optical gas imaging, and magnetic surveys, to find wells more efficiently.
- Factors influencing methane leaks from wells, including age, depth, local geology, construction materials, and region.
- Better, more cost-effective sealing methods, especially for remote wells; use of eco-friendly materials like low-carbon cement; and new purposes like geothermal energy production or carbon capture and storage (a process to trap and store carbon dioxide underground).
- How abandoned wells affect groundwater quality and cause contamination.
- Coordination Requirements: The DOE must collaborate with universities, national laboratories (government-run research facilities), and private companies.
- Funding: Authorizes $30 million in fiscal year 2026, increasing annually to $35 million in 2030, for program implementation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Title VI of Division D of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021), which already funds some well-plugging efforts, by adding a new section (40602) dedicated to research and innovation. It expands beyond direct remediation to emphasize technology development and data-driven strategies, without altering prior funding or mandates.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The DOE will lead implementation, requiring coordination with agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state regulators, potentially increasing workload but also building expertise in clean energy tech.
- Citizens and Environment: Could lead to safer communities near old oil fields by reducing methane (a potent greenhouse gas) emissions and preventing water contamination, improving public health and air quality in affected areas.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though advancements in well-sealing tech and carbon storage could support U.S. climate goals under global agreements like the Paris Accord.
- Broader Economy: May spur job growth in research, engineering, and green tech sectors, while lowering long-term cleanup costs for states and industries.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: DOE (primary implementer) and national labs (research partners).
- State Governments: Oil- and gas-producing states (e.g., Texas, North Dakota) that manage well inventories and face remediation burdens.
- Industry: Oil and gas companies (responsible for many abandoned wells) and emerging sectors like geothermal and carbon capture firms (benefiting from repurposing innovations).
- Researchers and Academia: Universities and scientists focused on environmental engineering and energy tech.
- Environmental and Community Groups: Those advocating for pollution reduction in rural or industrial areas.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Builds on existing federal authority under energy and environmental laws without creating new regulatory burdens; focuses on voluntary research rather than mandates, reducing litigation risks.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power (Article I, Section 8) to fund research for public welfare, with no apparent conflicts over states' rights, as it encourages coordination rather than overriding state laws.
- Political: Supports bipartisan environmental priorities (introduced by Sens. Luján and Cramer from different parties), potentially bridging energy production and climate action debates; could influence future infrastructure bills by demonstrating investment in sustainable remediation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (5 pages)