[Page H691]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SUPPORTING ORPHAN WELL GRANT FLEXIBILITY

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
my bipartisan bill, the Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act. We all know 
that orphaned wells, either unplugged or improperly plugged, can pose 
serious environmental health risks to surrounding communities.
  In Pennsylvania alone, there are more than 27,000 documented 
abandoned and orphan oil gas wells across the State. This is not just a 
Pennsylvania issue, however, as abandoned wells are found across the 
country.
  The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act, which I introduced alongside 
my colleague, Congressman Deluzio from Pennsylvania, will empower 
States to maximize their flexibility when plugging abandoned oil wells 
and cut red tape to accelerate environmental rehabilitation.
  We have many of the resources we need to plug these wells. It is our 
job to ensure they are able to be used for their intended purpose. I 
thank Congressman Deluzio for joining me in leading this critical 
effort. I encourage all my colleagues to support this legislation.

                          ____________________