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DEP Plugs Two Actively Leaking Abandoned Wells in Erie County, Supporting the Shapiro Administration’s Historic Well Plugging Campaign

DEP has plugged more than 315 wells throughout the Commonwealth under Governor Shapiro’s leadership

Erie County Oil & Gas Well Plugging

Erie, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) began plugging two actively leaking abandoned wells under an emergency contract today in Millcreek Township, Erie, PA. Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, DEP has made historic progress, plugging more than 315 wells throughout the Commonwealth, protecting public health and creating jobs in the process.

The first of the two wells to be plugged sits on the bluff overlooking Baer Beach, directly behind Crystal Point Condos (3300 Baer Rd), which is home to 90 residents. Members of the DEP Oil and Gas program were joined on site by Senator Dan Laughlin and other state leaders and their respective staff, to see the plugging process firsthand and learn about the importance of addressing dangerous abandoned wells.

“Any time you have an actively leaking well in a residential neighborhood, it is a concern to public health and safety and needs to be evaluated immediately,” said DEP Northwest Regional Office Oil and Gas Manager, Scott Dudzic. “Plugging these wells will remove the possibility of methane gas migrating into enclosed structures, causing a potential explosive atmosphere.”

Once plugging operations behind Crystal Point Condos has been completed, DEP contractors will mobilize to the site of the second well located at 1602 Linwood Ave. Much like the first, this well has no responsible owner and is actively leaking methane in a residential area. Both well plugging projects are expected to be completed within the upcoming weeks.

Erie County is home to some 3203 active wells and 448 orphan and abandoned wells. DEP is in the process of finalizing a proposed project, through the Department of Interior (DOI), that will utilize Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding to plug 28 wells.

In addition, the Shapiro administration just awarded over $7 million to 35 well plugging projects across the Commonwealth through the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), focusing on reducing methane emissions, creating jobs and supporting small business across Pennsylvania. Five of those projects in Erie County will address the plugging of 28 marginal conventional wells.

Oil & Gas Well

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