[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4877 Engrossed in House (EH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4877
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
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.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Abandoned Well Remediation Research
and Development Act''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005.
(a) In General.--The Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subtitle F of title IX (42
U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) the following new section:
``SEC. 969E. ABANDONED WELLS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall, in
coordination with relevant Federal and state agencies and entities,
establish a research, development, and demonstration program to
improve--
``(1) data collection on the location of abandoned wells;
``(2) the plugging, remediation, reclamation, and
repurposing of abandoned wells; and
``(3) strategies to mitigate potential environmental
impacts of documented and undocumented abandoned wells.
``(b) Activities.--The research, development, and demonstration
under subsection (a) shall include activities to improve--
``(1) remote sensor capabilities, LiDAR capabilities,
optical gas imaging, magnetic survey technology, and any other
technologies relevant to the efficient identification of
abandoned wells;
``(2) understanding of how certain parameters of abandoned
wells affect methane emission rates of such wells, including
parameters such as well age, well depth, geology, construction,
case material, and geographic region;
``(3) the efficiency and cost-efficacy of processes for
plugging, remediating, reclaiming, and repurposing abandoned
wells, including--
``(A) improvement of processes and technologies for
the unique challenges associated with plugging remote
abandoned wells;
``(B) use of low carbon, lightweight cement or use
of alternative materials and additives for plugging
purposes; and
``(C) repurposing of abandoned wells for
alternative uses, including geothermal power production
or carbon capture, utilization, and storage; and
``(4) understanding of the impacts of abandoned wells on
groundwater quality and contamination.
``(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the program established under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall ensure coordination of these
activities with State and local governments, institutions of higher
education, the Department of Energy National Laboratories, the private
sector, and impacted communities, including landowners within such
communities.
``(d) 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.
``(e) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to the
Secretary to carry out this section amounts authorized pursuant to
section 10771 of subtitle O of title VI of the Research and
Development, Competition, and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of
Public Law 117-167), as follows:
``(1) For fiscal year 2024, $30,000,000.
``(2) For fiscal year 2025, $31,250,000.
``(3) For fiscal year 2026, $32,500,000.
``(4) For fiscal year 2027, $33,750,000.
``(5) For fiscal year 2028, $35,000,000.
``(f) Sunset.--This section shall terminate five years after the
date of the enactment of this section.''; and
(2) in the table of contents in section 1(b) (42 U.S.C.
15801 note), by inserting after the matter relating to section
969D the following new item:
``Sec. 969E. Abandoned wells research, development, and demonstration
program.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Paragraph (6) of section 10771 of
subtitle O of title VI of the Research and Development, Competition,
and Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117-167) is
amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking
``2026'' and inserting ``2028'';
(2) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``$600,000,000'' and
inserting ``$507,500,000'';
(3) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the
semicolon;
(4) in subparagraph (C)--
(A) by striking ``$1,000,000,000'' and inserting
``$930,000,000''; and
(B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and
(5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) $162,500,000 to carry out abandoned wells
research, development, and demonstration activities
under section 969E of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, in
accordance with such section.''.
Passed the House of Representatives April 30, 2024.
Attest:
Clerk.
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 4877
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
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.