Program: orphaned well state formula grant program ? Phase 2 legislative authority: 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(c)(4) award purpose: funding through the formula grant program may be utilized to plug,…

The Department of the Interior Departmental Offices Interior Business Center awarded $35 million to the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources on January 1, 2026, under the Energy Community Revitalization Program (CFDA 15.018), a formula grant to address orphaned oil and gas well remediation on state and private lands in Louisiana.

The recipient will plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells on state and private lands; restore soil and habitat degraded by orphaned wells or associated pipelines, facilities, and infrastructure; decommission or remove associated infrastructure; identify and characterize undocumented orphaned wells; rank orphaned wells based on public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and land use priorities; identify and address adverse human health or environmental effects on local communities; and measure and track methane emissions, other gases, and groundwater and surface water contamination. The department will also provide cost accounting for each well site remediation and develop or administer a program to carry out these activities.

The award obligates $35 million and carries a period of performance from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030. Performance occurs in Louisiana, USA. The Energy Community Revitalization Program, established under 42 U.S.C. § 15907, directs the Secretary of the Interior to inventory and properly plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells on state, tribal, and private lands. Formula grants represent one category of assistance under this program.

Activities

This grant funds the louisiana department of natural resources 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): n/a