This bill directs the U.S. Department of Energy to establish a research program focused on addressing abandoned oil and gas wells—wells that are no longer in use and have not been properly plugged or reclaimed. The program will fund research and development activities to improve technology for locating these wells, understanding their environmental risks (particularly methane emissions), and developing better methods for plugging and repurposing them for alternative uses like geothermal energy or carbon storage. The bill authorizes $30 million for fiscal year 2026, increasing to $35 million by 2030, and requires the Department to coordinate with universities, national laboratories, and private companies. The Secretary of Energy must establish the program within 120 days of the bill's enactment.
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