State bill aims to plug orphan wells

PORT CLINTON — A new bill backed by the region's statehouse representative should fuel a new initiative to plug improperly abandoned oil and natural gas wells.House Bill 225, in short, creates a more streamlined and efficient process for identifying and plugging orphan, or abandoned, wells across Ohio.It also aims to reduce steep costs associated with cleaning them up, which, state officials presume, has deterred landowners from reporting discovered wells and addressing this issue."The legislation outlines an updated process for helping property owners and the state plug these wells," according to a statehouse statement. "Under the bill, property owners can now notify the Ohio Department of Natural Resources about an orphan well on their property, prompting an inspection within 30 days."Among the legislation's supporters: state Rep. Steve Arndt, R-Port Clinton."As the representative of a district that is very concerned with the harmful effects of human activity on the environment ... I was proud to co-sponsor House Bill 225," Arndt said. "This legislation will help homeowners that discover abandoned orphan wells on their properties to properly address them."A study showed orphan wells in 58 of Ohio's 88 counties. Many of them were drilled several generations ago. It's believed more than 600 exist across the state. A state map shows most exist in Ohio's southeastern border. It doesn't list any wells located in Erie, Huron or Ottawa counties."Orphan wells left unattended can pose a significant threat to Ohio's beautiful natural environment," Arndt said. "With a vital resource like Lake Erie potentially affected by these wells, it's necessary to take any action possible to protect such an important resource."The bill awaits Gov. John Kasich's signature before it becomes a law.In the Ohio Statehouse, a proposed bill creates a more streamlined and efficient process for identifying and plugging orphan, or abandoned, wells across Ohio. It also aims to reduce steep costs associated with cleaning them up, which, state officials presume, has deterred landowners from reporting discovered wells and addressing this issue. How to identify an orphan wellAn improperly abandoned oil and gas well on your property may be a hazard to the environment and your health and safety. Recognizing an orphan or abandoned well and what can be done to properly plug it is important.These oil and gas wells have been found under buildings, houses and streets as well as in lawns and recreation areas. Some of the signs you may notice are:• Large diameter pipe or wellhead• An area where vegetation will not grow• The odor of crude oil or natural gas• The odor of rotten eggs• Water well contaminated by saltwater, crude oil or natural gasSaltwater contamination may increase water hardness or inhibit freezing. Crude oil may appear as either a thick layer or thin "rainbow" sheen on the water surface. Natural gas in a water well may be signaled by pressure surges, a natural gas odor at the tap or bubbling in the water.If you believe there's an orphan well on your property:• Email: Eugene.Chini@dnr.state.oh.us• Call: 330-308-0007 Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources