Program: orphaned well state formula grant program phase 2LEGISLATIVE authority: 42 U.S.C. 15907(C)(4)award purpose: funding through the formula grant program may be utilized to plug, remediate or…

The Department of the Interior, through the Interior Business Center, awarded the California Department of Conservation $52.8 million under the Energy Community Revitalization Program (CFDA 15.018) Formula Grant to address orphaned well remediation and site reclamation throughout California. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030, funds the plugging and remediation of orphaned oil and gas wells on state and private lands, soil and habitat restoration at degraded well sites, and decommissioning or removal of associated pipelines and infrastructure. The grant also supports identification and characterization of undocumented orphaned wells, ranking of priority wells based on public health, safety, and environmental factors, and establishment of well-plugging capacity where needed.

Additional deliverables funded through this award include comprehensive accounting of remediation costs for each well site, monitoring and tracking of methane emissions and other gases to assess contamination of groundwater and surface water, and identification and remediation of adverse human health and environmental effects on local communities. These activities are performed in compliance with federal requirements under 42 U.S.C. Section 15907(c)(4) and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), positioning California's Department of Conservation to conduct critical environmental remediation work while advancing federal energy security and public safety objectives across the state.

Activities

This grant funds the california department of conservation to perform the following activities: plug, remediate, or reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands remediate soil and restore habitat that has been due to the presence of orphaned wells or associated pipelines, facilities, or infrastructure on state and private lands remediate state and private lands adjacent to orphaned wells and decommission or remove associated pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure provide an accounting of the cost of plugging, remediation, and reclamation for each orphaned well site on state and or private lands within the state identify and characterize undocumented orphaned wells on state and private land rank orphaned wells based on factors including public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and other land use priorities identify and address adverse human health or environmental effects on local communities measure and track methane emissions and other gases as well as contamination of groundwater and surface water and develop or administer a program to carry out any activities described in this 42 U.S.C. 15907(C)(4). Activities funded by this grant must comply with the uniform guidance for grants and agreements (2 CFR 200), build america buy america, davis-bacon act, and 42 U.S.C. 15907(C)(4), and include all costs necessary to conduct and manage the approved project, such as equipment and contracted services. Expected deliverables or outcomes: 1.decrease the amount of methane emissions from orphaned wells. 2.enhance the protection of public health, safety, and property from adverse effects of oil drilling practices from orphaned wells on state and private lands. 3.plug, remediate, or reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands.4.restore land and water resources, the environment, and property from oil drilling activities, facilities, and associated pipelines from orphaned wells on state and private lands.5.remediate and restore land and water resources to return lands to traditional uses, including woodland, energy production, fish and wildlife habitats, recreation resources, and agricultural productivity.

Intended beneficiaries

The public benefits directly and indirectly from the proposed project that addresses national energy security and public safety. This investment in state programs across the country will grow the economy and address energy goals. Information and data collected by this project will be made available as applicable. The public will benefit by mitigating risks, restoring lands to productive uses, and providing job opportunities in impacted communities where work will be prioritized.subrecipient activities (if known or specified at time of award): not applicable.