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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has provided $7.24 million in funding to 35 Marginal Conventional Well (MCW) plugging projects through the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. This initiative aims to reduce methane emissions from unproductive wells, which are harmful greenhouse gases, and prevent dangerous gas leakages and backflow pollution of watersheds and groundwaters. The funding, primarily directed towards projects in McKean, Potter, Venango and Warren counties, is made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides opportunities to address methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sectors.
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Pennsylvania DEP Allocates $7.24 Million to Marginal Conventional Well Plugging
The Methane Emissions Reduction Program, led by Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), has recently extended a total of $7,240,000 in funding to 35 Marginal Conventional Well (MCW) plugging projects. The initiative aims to cover 329 MCWs statewide, defined as conventional oil or gas wells yielding less than 15 barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) daily. The calculation of the BOE includes both 15 barrels of oil and 90,000 cubic feet of gas, or a combination of both.
“Methane is an extremely prevalent greenhouse gas, driving climate change and threatening the public health of our communities,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley declared. She emphasized that by reducing methane emissions from unproductive wells, the program is aiding in lowering both state and global greenhouse gas contributions and preventing potential gas leaks and backflow pollution in watersheds and groundwaters across the commonwealth.
County-Wise Fund Distribution
Among the counties benefiting from the funding, the four counties of McKean, Potter, Venango, and Warren are receiving over half of the total. Indiana County, in particular, is receiving $280,000 to plug 14 wells, the largest local allocation to a single county. Further, Indiana County will benefit from multi-county awards, with $335,000 dedicated to a 10-well plugging project across Indiana, Armstrong, Westmoreland, Clearfield, and Erie counties, and $140,000 for a four-well project in Indiana and Clarion counties.
Additional funding includes $340,000 for a 17-well project across Armstrong, Clearfield, Jefferson, Clarion, and Elk counties. Other single-county awards include $125,000 for Westmoreland County (four wells), $105,000 for Clearfield County (three wells), $55,000 for Clarion County (two wells), and $20,000 for Armstrong County (one well).
Federal Inflation Reduction Act Funding
The Shapiro administration credited the federal Inflation Reduction Act for providing new opportunities and funding to curb methane emissions from the petroleum and natural gas sector. It has led to the creation of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program or MERP Grant, which provides funding to eligible MCWs plugging applicants.
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