Washington County was part of a major milestone in the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to plug orphaned and abandoned wells.
On Wednesday, state and local leaders met in Washington County to celebrate the plugging of the state’s 500th abandoned well during the Shapiro Administration.
The initiative to plug wells is part of an ongoing statewide project designed to protect public health while generating skilled employment opportunities.
Shapiro Administration says the reason for plugging the wells is twofold. They often leak methane, threaten groundwater, create safety hazards, and limit opportunities for economic development and community revitalization, so plugging them helps reduce emissions, protect public health, create family-sustaining jobs, and prepare land for future use.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers player Jerome Bettis’ company, M&A Resources, was contracted to plug the milestone well. Officials say the well in Somerset Township was actively leaking gas into the ground and atmosphere in a residential neighborhood.
“We’re helping address abandoned wells, improve safety and make a positive impact in the communities where we live and work,” Bettis said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has identified more than 27,000 abandoned wells across the state, and it is prioritizing plugging the ones that pose the greatest risk to public health, safety and the environment.
If you know where an abandoned or orphaned well is, click here to report it.
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