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 Kansas Corporation Commission Conservation Division received a $33.6 million Formula Grant from the Department of the Interior's Interior Business Center under the Energy Community Revitalization Program (CFDA 15.018), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. The grant funds the plugging, remediation, and reclamation of orphaned oil and gas wells on state and private lands within Kansas, along with associated soil and habitat restoration activities. Key deliverables include plugging and remediating orphaned wells; remediating soil and restoring habitat degraded by well sites and associated infrastructure; decommissioning or removing pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure; and developing comprehensive accounting of costs for each remediation project.

Additional services funded under this award include identifying and characterizing previously undocumented orphaned wells on state and private lands; ranking orphaned wells based on public health and safety risks, potential environmental harm, and land use priorities; measuring and tracking methane emissions and other gases along with groundwater and surface water contamination; and establishing well-plugging capacity where not already available. The Conservation Division performs all grant-funded activities directly without subrecipients. All funded activities must comply with federal Uniform Guidance requirements under 2 CFR 200.

Activities

This grant funds the kansas corporation commission 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.