By Charles Young, The Exponent Telegram
WASHINGTON — West Virginia is eligible to apply for more than $40 million to plug orphaned oil and gas wells through the third phase of a federal grant program.
The state has until 4 p.m. on Dec. 13 to apply through the U.S. Department of the Interior to access up to $43,849,585 provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
A total of $775 million will be available to 21 states, according to a press release.
“These investments are good for our climate, for the health of our communities, and for American workers,” said U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. “With this third round of additional funding, states will put more people to work to clean up these toxic sites, reduce methane emissions and safeguard our environment.”
In the first round, announced in August 2022, the state was awarded around $25 million to fund plugging of 123 wells. In the second round, announced in May, the state was awarded $29.2 million to plug approximately 200 wells.
