Orphan Well Prevention Act of 2022

Requires an operator to provide plugging money escrow funds when applying for new permits or when transferring ownership of a well. No new well permit would be issued to an operator of other wells that have not been in use for 12 consecutive months unless the operator provides certain assurances or places plugging funds into escrow. Plugging money must be set aside by operators of producing wells. In order to obtain a permit to drill a new well, the driller must agree to plug all orphaned wells in the leased area that will be drained by the new drilling.

ISSUES: Land & Wildlife, Pure Water

CWV Position: Supports

Status: Introduced 1/12/22; referred to Energy and Manufacturing Committee, then Judiciary