The Railroad Commission of Texas is facing a significant challenge with the increasing number of leaking wells in West Texas. These leaks are causing harmful substances to rise to the surface, posing a threat to both the environment and public health. The Commission has requested an additional $100 million from the state Legislature to address this issue.
Amanda Drane, an investigative reporter for the Houston Chronicle, shed light on the Commission’s plan to use the funds to plug emergency wells that do not have a responsible owner. These wells, which are leaking or even exploding, are causing contamination of groundwater with high salt content, radioactive elements, benzene, and trace amounts of oil and gas.
The lack of a clear paper trail linking these wells to their owners is a major challenge for the Commission. For example, a single well in Crane County cost $2.5 million to plug, despite no identifiable owner. The Commission is in urgent need of these funds to mitigate the environmental damage caused by these leaking wells.
While the Railroad Commission has historically used funds from oil and gas industry fees and fines to cover the costs of plugging abandoned wells, the source of this additional $100 million remains uncertain. There is a possibility that taxpayer funds may be required if industry contributions are insufficient to cover the cleanup costs.
As the Legislature prepares to convene in Austin to discuss the new two-year budget, the Commission is hopeful that the emergency allocation will be approved promptly. This will allow them to take immediate action in addressing the leaking wells without delay. However, the final decision rests with the Legislature on how to allocate the necessary funds.
The public’s support for investigative journalism like Amanda Drane’s reporting is crucial in bringing awareness to such critical issues. By making a donation to support these efforts, readers can contribute to the continued coverage of important environmental and regulatory matters. Your contribution helps sustain the valuable work of journalists in keeping the public informed about significant challenges facing our communities.
