H.R.1217 - Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.1217, the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025, amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005, focusing on orphaned oil and gas wells. The bill aims to provide states with more flexibility in utilizing grant funding for plugging and remediating these wells. Specifically, it clarifies that states are not required to measure methane emissions as a condition of grant eligibility and allows for the use of pre- and post-plugging monitoring data for estimation purposes.
Expected Effects
The Act's primary effect will be to streamline the process for states to receive and utilize federal grants for plugging orphan wells. This could lead to a faster pace of well remediation and reduced environmental impact from these wells. Additionally, the National Academies study will provide insights into the broader community impacts of the orphan well program.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Efficiency: States can access grant funding more easily without mandatory methane emission measurements.
- Environmental Remediation: Faster plugging of orphan wells reduces methane leaks and other environmental hazards.
- Economic Development Insights: The National Academies study will assess the program's impact on local economies and housing.
- Improved Water Quality: Remediation efforts can lead to improvements in water quality in affected areas.
- Data-Driven Improvements: The study's findings can inform future policy decisions related to orphan well management.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Reduced Methane Monitoring: The flexibility could lead to less comprehensive methane emission data collection.
- Uncertainty in Long-Term Impact: The actual effectiveness of the program depends on how states utilize the increased flexibility.
- Reliance on Existing Funds: The study is funded through existing resources, potentially diverting funds from other important initiatives.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses primarily on procedural changes rather than addressing the root causes of orphaned wells.
- Delayed Reporting: The report from the National Academies is not due until 18 months after the last grant is awarded, delaying potential improvements.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the General Welfare Clause (Preamble). Congress is authorized to enact legislation that promotes the general welfare of the United States. Addressing environmental hazards and promoting economic development through orphan well remediation can be seen as fulfilling this role. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).