How Orphan Natural Gas Wells Can Affect Consumers

On this West Virginia Morning, the natural gas boom is transforming the Ohio Valley’s energy landscape. Development has also led to abandonment of thousands of older oil and gas wells, which often then pollute local air, land, and water.

An analysis by the Ohio Valley ReSource estimates more than 8,000 old wells in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia are considered “orphan,” with no company responsible for their maintenance. As Brittany Patterson reports, it costs a lot to plug these wells and the bill is often passed ultimately to taxpayers.

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