The Department of the Interior has released final guidance for states to apply for up to $40 million each in Regulatory Improvement Grant funding. This initiative is part of President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at creating jobs and addressing pollution from orphaned oil and gas wells across the United States. The guidance marks the availability of all funding categories under this law for state, tribal, and federal agencies.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law represents a significant investment in tackling legacy pollution, allocating $4.7 billion to plug orphaned wells. Since its enactment, nearly 9,500 such wells have been plugged nationwide.

Secretary Deb Haaland stated, "I am incredibly proud of the work the Department of the Interior has done to move quickly and efficiently to implement this once-in-a-generation investment in tackling legacy pollution, provided through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda." She emphasized that addressing these wells will reduce methane emissions, promote environmental justice, create jobs, and improve living conditions.

Orphaned wells are known to pollute various environments by contaminating water sources and releasing toxic pollutants. They also emit methane—a potent greenhouse gas contributing significantly to climate change. Plugging these wells aligns with broader efforts under the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan.

States can apply for two types of grants: Plugging Standards Grants and Program Improvement Grants. Each grant offers $20 million per state. These grants aim to encourage states to enhance their standards and procedures related to well plugging and management programs.

The program supports the Biden-Harris administration's environmental justice goals through the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40 percent of certain federal investments' benefits to disadvantaged communities affected by pollution.

In addition to state funding, $150 million has been allocated for clean-up on Tribal lands under this law, with approximately $81 million already awarded. Furthermore, $250 million has been distributed over four years for cleaning well sites on public lands like national parks and forests.