Luján Welcomes $25 Million to Plug Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells in New Mexico

Washington, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) welcomed $25 million for New Mexico to implement the REGROW Act, legislation he championed in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up and remediate abandoned gas and oil wells. This investment is part of the Biden administration’s $660 million Phase 1 funding to clean up legacy pollution around the country. These resources to clean up hazardous sites will create good-paying jobs, promote economic growth and revitalization, reduce harmful methane leaks, and reduce environmental and public health risks to surface water and groundwater resources.

Earlier this year, Senator Luján reintroduced the bipartisan Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act (AWRRDA) to strengthen and advance the identification and remediation of abandoned gas and oil wells on Federal, state, and Tribal lands. This bipartisan legislation builds on Luján’s REGROW Act to put skilled energy workers back to work plugging abandoned wells.

“This effort to plug abandoned wells and slash methane emissions is an issue I’ve championed – because the health of our communities and environment are at risk,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to welcome this critical investment of $25 million that builds on my work to clean up, plug, and identify orphaned wells to protect the public and our environment by reducing methane emissions. This welcome investment from the Biden administration will support our bipartisan movement in Congress to safeguard our communities and create more jobs while boosting economic growth in New Mexico.”  

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