Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
The Department of the Interior has announced a $12 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to aid four Tribal Nations in cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells on their lands. This initiative aims to support Tribal land rights, address legacy pollution, reduce methane leaks, and mitigate environmental hazards affecting Tribal communities. The funds will be used for plugging, remediating, or reclaiming orphaned wells, restoring soil and habitat in degraded areas, decommissioning infrastructure, identifying undocumented wells, and establishing well-plugging capacity.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates $4.7 billion to address orphaned wells nationwide, with $150 million specifically designated for Tribal communities. Previously, $40 million was awarded to ten Tribes in the first phase of funding. Today's announcement brings the total investment in cleaning up orphaned wells on Tribal lands to nearly $52 million. Additional phase two grants will be announced on a rolling basis.
“The Biden-Harris administration is committed to honoring Tribal sovereignty by ensuring that Tribes are able to make their own decisions about how to address the health and safety needs of their people, improve economic growth, and realize their vision for the future,” said Secretary Deb Haaland. “Through the President’s Investing in America agenda, we are making millions of dollars available for Tribally led projects that are addressing legacy pollution and creating good-paying jobs.”
Orphaned oil and gas wells pose risks such as groundwater contamination, toxic chemical seepage, polluted drinking water sources, dangerous pollutant emissions, and harm to wildlife. Methane from these unplugged wells is a significant climate change contributor.
The Interior Department has made $55 million available in the second phase of Tribal awards and continues working with Tribes on proposals and project initiation under this opportunity. Tribes may also request direct assistance from the Department via “In Lieu of Grant” funding for plugging, remediation, and reclamation activities.
In addition to historic funding for Tribes, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated over $4.2 billion for orphaned well sites on state and private lands and $250 million for sites in national parks and other public lands. Over three years, more than $1 billion has been awarded to states and nearly $150 million to federal agencies.
Today's grants fall into two categories: implementation and program development. Implementation Grants support plugging, remediation, and reclamation activities for orphaned wells on Tribal lands. Program Development Grants assist with capacity-building activities like locating orphaned wells and enhancing Tribal expertise through job creation, training, and administrative support.
This effort aligns with the President’s Justice40 Initiative aiming to deliver 40 percent of certain federal investments' benefits to disadvantaged communities marginalized by underinvestment.
**Tribal Phase 2 Projects:**
- **Caddo Nation of Oklahoma** - $3,707,129
Program Development & Implementation Grants
These projects will verify up to 20 orphaned wells identified during Program Development phase; identify undocumented wells; use Implementation Grant funds for plugging orphaned wells; remediate well sites.
- **Navajo Nation** - $4,970,911
Implementation Grant
Building on Phase 1 assessment activities; identify undocumented orphaned wells; plug additional 19 prioritized wells; remediate well sites; conduct post-plugging inspections.
- **Osage Nation** - $1,000,000
Program Development Grant
Develop remediation plans documenting environmental degradation; map contaminated areas boundaries; prioritize well sites posing greatest environmental risks.
- **Seneca Nation of Indians** - $2,5000
Implementation Grant
Fund plugging up to 25 orphaned wells in Allegany Territory.