BLM Races To Issue Cleanup Funds For Methane-Emitting ‘Orphan’ Wells

As the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) races to stand up a $4.7 billion program to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells with funding from the new bipartisan infrastructure law, one environmentalist is urging officials to prioritize well capping in order to speed the process and ensure the quickest climate benefits. “From an environmental standpoint, there may be a benefit to plugging first and then going to get compensation” later from potentially liable parties so the wells “don't sit...