Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz, Mike Braun, and Bob Casey have introduced the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act, a bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing the environmental hazards posed by abandoned oil wells. These orphaned wells, which have no legal owner, can leak toxic chemicals and contaminate essential water resources if left unchecked for years.

In a statement, Senator Cruz emphasized the need to empower state governments in making decisions about closing abandoned orphan wells. He said, "This bill will empower state governments, like Texas, with the flexibility they need to make the best decisions for their constituents."

The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act seeks to maximize the operational flexibility of states within the Energy Policy Act of 2005. By giving states more control, the legislation aims to remove power from unelected Washington bureaucrats who currently dictate how these wells must be plugged.

Several senators, including Mike Lee, Jim Risch, Roger Marshall, Markwayne Mullin, Jerry Moran, Eric Schmitt, James Lankford, John Fetterman, and Sherrod Brown, have cosponsored the bill, showing bipartisan support for addressing the issue of orphaned wells.

The importance of addressing this issue cannot be overstated. Orphaned wells, if not properly plugged or filled in, can allow contaminants to seep into the land and water, leak harmful air pollutants, and even reduce property values by up to 12 percent. According to the Railroad Commission of Texas, there are currently 7,960 orphaned wells in Texas alone.

To further underscore the urgency of the issue, a coalition of organizations has endorsed the legislation. These organizations include the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the National Ground Water Association, The Groundwater Foundation, the National Conference of State Legislatures, Earth and Water Group, Heritage Action, ConservAmerica, The Boone and Crockett Club, Wildlife Management Institute, and the Bipartisan Policy Center Action.

The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act aims to address the environmental hazards posed by abandoned oil wells by empowering states to take action. Through this legislation, state governments will have the flexibility they need to make decisions that best serve their constituents and protect the environment.

To learn more about the full text of the bill, click here.