Ohio to receive $256M in federal funding to clean up abandoned oil and gas sites

Ohio will receive $256 million in new federal funding under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to clean up abandoned oil and gas sites known as orphaned wells.

Nearly 81,000 abandoned drilling sites across the country — including 891 in Ohio — are emitting methane gas and leaking toxic pollution into nearby communities, a news release states.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law secured $4.7 billion in new federal funding to help communities plug orphaned wells. The first phase of that funding, announced this week, totals $1.15 billion across 26 states.

“These urgently needed funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help get rid of dangerous pollution, ensure our kids have clean air and drinking water and simultaneously create good-paying jobs,” U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, said in the release. “This investment is a major win for our environment, our economy and our families.”

This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 2:45 PM.