D26AP00117

PROGRAM: ORPHANED WELL STATE INITIAL GRANT PROGRAM
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY: 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(C)(3)

AWARD PURPOSE: FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE INITIAL GRANT PROGRAM MAY BE UTILIZED TO PLUG, REMEDIATE OR RECLAIM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS LOCATED WITHIN THE STATE'S BOUNDARIES, RESTORE SOIL AND HABITAT IN THE DEGRADED AREA, DECOMMISSION OR REMOVE ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE, IDENTIFY AND CHARACTERIZE ADDITIONAL UNDOCUMENTED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS AND SET UP WELL-PLUGGING CAPACITY WHERE NOT ALREADY ESTABLISHED. AS STATED IN 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(C)(3), THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ESTABLISHED A STATE INITIAL GRANT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS REMEDIATION AND RECLAMATION OF ORPHANED WELLS AND WELL SITES ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS WITHIN THE STATE'S BOUNDARIES.

ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED: THIS GRANT FUNDS THE UTAH DIVISION OF OIL, GAS, AND MINING TO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: PLUG, REMEDIATE, OR RECLAIM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS; REMEDIATE SOIL AND RESTORE HABITAT THAT HAS BEEN DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF ORPHANED WELLS OR ASSOCIATED PIPELINES, FACILITIES, OR INFRASTRUCTURE ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS; REMEDIATE STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS ADJACENT TO ORPHANED WELLS AND DECOMMISSION OR REMOVE ASSOCIATED PIPELINES, FACILITIES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE; PROVIDE AN ACCOUNTING OF THE COST OF PLUGGING, REMEDIATION, AND RECLAMATION FOR EACH ORPHANED WELL SITE ON STATE AND/OR PRIVATE LANDS WITHIN THE STATE; IDENTIFY AND CHARACTERIZE UNDOCUMENTED ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LAND; RANK ORPHANED WELLS BASED ON FACTORS INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL HARM, AND OTHER LAND USE PRIORITIES; IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS ADVERSE HUMAN HEALTH OR ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON LOCAL COMMUNITIES; MEASURE AND TRACK METHANE EMISSIONS AND OTHER GASES AS WELL AS CONTAMINATION OF GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER; AND DEVELOP OR ADMINISTER A PROGRAM TO CARRY OUT ANY ACTIVITIES DESCRIBED IN THIS 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(C)(3). ACTIVITIES FUNDED BY THIS GRANT MUST COMPLY WITH THE UNIFORM GUIDANCE FOR GRANTS AND AGREEMENTS (2 CFR 200), BUILD AMERICA BUY AMERICA, DAVIS-BACON ACT, AND 42 U.S.C. ? 15907(C)(3), AND INCLUDE ALL COSTS NECESSARY TO CONDUCT AND MANAGE THE APPROVED PROJECT, SUCH AS EQUIPMENT AND CONTRACTED SERVICES.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES OR OUTCOMES:
1. DECREASE THE AMOUNT OF METHANE EMISSIONS FROM ORPHANED WELLS.
2. ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY, AND PROPERTY FROM ADVERSE EFFECTS OF OIL DRILLING PRACTICES FROM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS.
3. PLUG, REMEDIATE, OR RECLAIM UP TO 93 ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS.
4. RESTORE LAND AND WATER RESOURCES, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND PROPERTY FROM OIL DRILLING ACTIVITIES, FACILITIES, AND ASSOCIATED PIPELINES FROM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS.
5. REMEDIATE AND RESTORE LAND AND WATER RESOURCES TO RETURN LANDS TO TRADITIONAL USES, INCLUDING WOODLAND, ENERGY PRODUCTION, FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS, RECREATION RESOURCES, AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY.

INTENDED BENEFICIARIES: THE PUBLIC BENEFITS DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT THAT ADDRESSES NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS INVESTMENT IN STATE PROGRAMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL GROW THE ECONOMY AND ADDRESS ENERGY GOALS. INFORMATION AND DATA COLLECTED BY THIS PROJECT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AS APPLICABLE. THE PUBLIC WILL BENEFIT BY MITIGATING RISKS, RESTORING LANDS TO PRODUCTIVE USES, AND PROVIDING JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN IMPACTED COMMUNITIES WHERE WORK WILL BE PRIORITIZED.

SUBRECIPIENT ACTIVITIES (IF KNOWN OR SPECIFIED AT TIME OF AWARD): NOT APPLICABLE.

Utah Oil Gas & Mining Division

PLUG AND REMEDIATE OR RECLAIM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS. ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY AND PROPERTY FROM ORPHANED WELLS ON STATES AND PRIVATE LANDS. TO IDENTIFY AND CHARACTERIZE UNDOCUMENTED ORPHANED WELLS ON STATE AND PRIVATE LANDS REMEDIATE LAND ADJACENT TO ORPHANED WELLS AND DECOMMISSION OR REMOVE ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVE LAND HEALTH.

15.018 - Energy Community Revitalization Program (ECRP)

Interior Business Center (IBC) [DOI]

Utah United States

State-Wide

D-AQD-FA-22-003