$256M in federal funding allocated to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells in Ohio
Friday, February 4, 2022
Ohio is set to receive $256 million in federal funding to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, according to Mahoning Matters.
The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act secured $4.7 billion to help plug nearly 81,000 abandoned wells across the United States, including 891 in Ohio.
The first phase of funding totals $1.15 billion being distributed among 26 states.
Learn more: Mahoning Matters > Ohio to receive $265M in federal funding to clean up abandoned oil and gas sites
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Shale FAQ
What is fracking?
Fracking is a slang term for hydraulic fracturing. Fracturing is a process by which highly pressurized fluid is pumped thousands of feet into the ground to fracture rock formations. The goal is to release the natural gas that’s locked inside the rock.
Is it safe?
What most concerns people about fracturing is ground water contamination. The worry is that fractures underground, caused by the process, will extending upwards and into aquifers, releasing gas and chemicals into the ground water supply. There’s been no confirmed reports of such a thing happening. Though surface spills and drill site blowouts can lead to localized environmental concerns.
Will my water catch on fire?
Flammable water is caused by the release of methane gas into a drinking water supply. Methane gas occurs naturally and can be released by any kind of drilling, including water wells. In Pennsylvania officials fined Chesapeake Energy $1 million for contaminating ground water with methane. It was determined that the company had not properly cemented it’s boreholes and gas migrated up the well, between rock and into aquifers.