PRIA Logo™
119-hr-1217119th Congress

Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

Introduced

Summary

More flexibility for states in the orphan well grant program and a federally funded study of how plugging and remediation affect nearby communities are the bill's main goals. It would remove mandatory methane-measurement requirements for Section 349 grant eligibility, allow pre- or post-plugging monitoring data to count for grant estimates, and set up a National Academies study on community impacts.

Show full summary
  • States: Grants under Section 349 would no longer require states to measure methane emissions to qualify, and states may use grant funds to collect pre- or post-plugging monitoring data but would not be forced to do so.
  • Local communities: The National Academies would study how plugging and remediation affect economic development, housing trends, and water quality in areas with substantial plugging activity, and must report findings to Congress within 18 months after the last grant is awarded.
  • Federal researchers and agencies: The Secretary of the Interior would seek an agreement with the National Academies within 180 days and ensure at least one state from each of five U.S. regions contributes to the study, with required consultation with HUD and the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission.

*The study would be carried out using existing Department of the Interior appropriations rather than creating new mandatory funding.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

National study on orphan well impacts

Within 180 days of enactment, Interior would seek an agreement with the National Academies to study how plugging and cleanup affect local economies, housing, and water. The study would include at least one State from each region (Northeast, Southwest, West, Southeast, Midwest) and consult HUD, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, and other agencies. Interior would share needed information. The Academies would report to Congress no later than 18 months after the last section 349 grant is awarded. The study would use existing Interior funds.

States could skip methane checks for grants

The bill would let States apply for orphan well grants without measuring methane or doing related activities. Estimates could include pre- or post-plugging monitoring data if States choose to collect it. States could use grant funds to pay for that data collection, but would not have to. This would take effect upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Thompson, Glenn [R-PA-15]

PA • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/12/2025

  • Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 2/26/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation