Plugging the wells will ensure safety of Texans, Wildlife & Ecosystems in the area
AUSTIN, Texas (Texas Insider Report) — “As someone who was raised near the coast and lived in Galveston for over a decade, I am committed to safeguarding our shoreline and ensuring the stewardship of our coastal lands, habitats, and ecosystems they support,” said Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. earlier today, announcing the allocation of $10 million from the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Surface Damage Account would be used for the plugging of orphaned oil and gas wells in Trinity Bay in Chambers County, Texas.
Unplugged wells can prove to be an environmental hazard, and the 47 wells in Trinity Bay pose the most risk to wildlife in the area.“This partnership with the Railroad Commission is vital, and I am thankful our agency was able to provide resources for this significant project of safely plugging these wells,” said Commissioner Buckingham.
The Texas General Land Office entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) to provide $10 million in funding for the plugging of these abandoned wells.
The Texas General Land Office entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) to provide $10 million in funding for the plugging of these abandoned wells.
The total amount of $10 million granted to the RRC from the GLO to plug the wells is drawn from an account funded in part by the oil and gas industry for reclamation purposes on Permanent Fund School (PSF) properties, such as Trinity Bay.
The GLO has been committed to providing support for orphan well plugging in Trinity Bay. While the RRC is the state agency with the authority to plug wells, the GLO is responsible for ensuring prevention and response to oil spills in the state’s coastal bay systems.
Additionally, the GLO stands ready to support the removal of aging infrastructure that contributes to coastal oil spills.
The PSF is a constitutionally created fund that benefits public schools in Texas. The royalties paid for oil and natural gas production on PSF lands are deposited into the fund.
