IB
Union Calendar No. 389
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4270
[Report No. 117–541]
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 30, 2021
Mr. Lamb (for himself, Mrs. Bice of Oklahoma, Ms. Johnson of Texas, and Mr. Lucas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
October 7, 2022
Additional sponsor: Mrs. Fletcher
October 7, 2022
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic
For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on June 30, 2021
A BILL
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research, development, and demonstration program with respect to abandoned wells, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act
.
Amendment to the Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended—
in subtitle F of title IX (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.), by inserting after section 969D the following:
Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program
Establishment
Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of the Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act, the Secretary of Energy shall, in coordination with relevant Federal and state agencies and entities, establish a research, development, and demonstration program to improve—
data collection on the location of abandoned wells;
the plugging, remediation, reclamation, and repurposing of abandoned wells; and
strategies to mitigate potential environmental impacts of documented and undocumented abandoned wells.
Activities
The research, development, and demonstration under subsection (a) shall include activities to improve—
remote sensor capabilities, LiDAR capabilities, optical gas imaging, magnetic survey technology, and any other technologies relevant to the efficient identification of abandoned wells;
understanding of how certain parameters of abandoned wells affect methane emission rates of such wells, including paramaters such as well age, well depth, geology, construction, case material, and geographic region;
the efficiency and cost-efficacy of processes for plugging, remediating, reclaiming, and repurposing abandoned wells, including—
improvement of processes and technologies for the unique challenges associated with plugging remote abandoned wells;
use of low carbon, lightweight cement or use of alternative materials and additives for plugging purposes; and
repurposing of abandoned wells for alternative uses, including geothermal power production or carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and
understanding of the impacts of abandoned wells on groundwater quality and contamination.
Coordination
In carrying out the program established in (a), the Secretary shall ensure coordination of these activities with institutions of higher education, the Department of Energy National Laboratories, and the private sector.
Abandoned well defined
In this section, the term abandoned well
means a well originally drilled in connection with oil and gas operations that is not being used, has not been plugged, and has no anticipated use in oil and gas operations.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for purposes of this section—
$30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
$31,250,000 for fiscal year 2023;
$32,500,000 for fiscal year 2024;
$33,750,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
$35,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.
; and
in section 1(b) (42 U.S.C. 15801 note), in the table of contents, by inserting after the matter related to section 969D the following:
Sec. 969E. Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration program.
.
October 7, 2022
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed