Pa. secures $76M in federal funding to boost oil/gas well-plugging program

The Shapiro Administration this week announced it has secured $76,406,474 in federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to address the plugging of orphaned and abandoned oil and gas wells, advancing its ongoing efforts to protect public health, reduce methane emissions that contribute to climate change — and create good-paying Pennsylvania jobs.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will utilize this funding — announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Biden-Harris Administration through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — to continue plugging some of the 27,000 known orphaned and abandoned wells across the state.

DEP expects to plug hundreds — if not thousands — of orphaned oil and gas wells over the next five years with this funding.

“By prioritizing the capping and plugging of orphaned and abandoned wells, my Administration is making meaningful strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Pennsylvania while also supporting thousands of good-paying energy jobs,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro. “Pennsylvania has a long legacy as an energy leader — and these wells are proof of that. Now, we are continuing that legacy by plugging and capping them, improving air quality, reducing emissions, protecting public health, and creating jobs. We are rejecting the false choice between protecting jobs and protecting our planet — and my Administration will continue to draw down as much federal funding as possible to do this critical work.”

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland added, “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is empowering communities across the country to confront long-standing environmental injustices by making a historic investment to plug orphaned oil and gas wells. These investments are good for our climate, for the health of our communities, and for American workers. With this additional funding, Pennsylvania will put more people to work to clean up these toxic sites, reduce methane emissions and safeguard our environment.”

The state has successfully plugged over 250 wells so far — more than in the previous nine years combined.

The 2024-25 budget allocated $11 million to DEP’s Office of Oil and Gas Management, ensuring that Pennsylvania can fully leverage available federal funds for well plugging.

“Orphan and abandoned wells are a serious risk to the environment and public health in Pennsylvania,” said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. “It’s not a question of if an abandoned well will pose a threat to the environment; it’s a question of when. This new funding will dramatically expand Pennsylvania’s ability to plug the wells that pose the greatest risks as well as others before they become a hazard.”

The $76 million is the first round of Formula Grant funding under the IIJA, which could provide up to $300 million over the next three to five years for well-plugging activities. This follows an initial $25 million grant awarded in 2022, which has already resulted in 224 wells being plugged or contracted for plugging.

DEP is aggressively going after operators who are walking away from wells and stepping in with emergency plugging contracts where needed to protect public health. Through IIJA funding and existing state funding for DEP, the Commonwealth is moving aggressively to tackle this massive contributor of greenhouse gasses.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 350,000 orphaned and abandoned wells, contributing nearly 8% of the state’s total methane emissions. Methane is especially hazardous, being up to 86 times more potent than carbon dioxide, significantly warming the planet and contributing to harmful air pollution.

DEP has identified more than 27,000 orphaned and abandoned wells and is prioritizing those posing the highest risks.

Trails at Jakes Rocks honored as

Pennsylvania’s 2024 ‘Trail of the Year’

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn this week joined the celebration honoring the Trails at Jakes Rocks (TAJR) as Pennsylvania’s 2024 Trail of the Year.

The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a 35-mile natural surface trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest in Warren County. The trails are used primarily for mountain biking, but other types of recreation such as hiking, trail running, and cross-country skiing are also permitted.

TAJR was established to address a notable gap in Warren County’s recreational landscape: high-quality mountain bike trails. TAJR’s unique design as a stacked-loop system significantly reduces the typical gaps found in point-to-point trail systems.

Recognizing the importance of the economic and many other benefits of outdoor recreation to the Commonwealth, Gov. Josh Shapiro launched the Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation in 2023 and an Outdoor Business Alliance in 2024. To improve public lands, the proposed budget builds on the success of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps with a $5 million investment in an effort to diversify and strengthen conservation career and workforce pathways for young people and protect our natural resources.

“We proudly celebrate the 2024 Trail of the Year, the Trails at Jakes Rocks, for the wonderful health and wellness opportunities the trail system provides, and the economic impact it brings to Warren County,” Secretary Dunn said. “With this honor, we expect to see even more people hiking, biking and running around these trails, and are hopeful the trail system is a gateway to adventures in the surrounding Allegheny National Forest.

TAJR has not only created a fantastic trail system but also serves as an economic driver. A recent economic impact analysis found that the TAJR draws over 25,000 users annually and generates an estimated $9M in annual tourism spending. TAJR is a prime example of a modern, professionally designed, and meticulously constructed natural surface mountain bike trail system.

BACK WOODS BASS RESULTS

Week of Aug. 26

Bob Strunk reports results from the Back Woods Bass Monday Night River Tournament Championship and the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Wednesday night Lunker Tournament, the Back Woods Bass Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament and the Monday Night River regular tournament.

Monday Night River Championship

1st Place: Brad & Tony Glazenski & Zak Makulewski 9.05 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 3.23 lbs

2nd Place: John Centak/Chet Williams 8.65 lbs

3rd Place: Joe Wyatt Fredericks/Dan Lukashewski 7.03 lbs

4th Place: Matt Miller/J.J. Smith 6.65 lbs

5th Place: Jim Lacomis/Christian Ostrowski 6.23 lbs

6th Place: Phil Delsordo/Randell Lisk/Chase Ohlson 6.03 lbs

7th Place: Mike Gillot/Ray Jones 5.22 lbs

8th Place: Tim & T.J. Pearson 4.83 lbs

9th Place: Ed & Lori Mrotchko 4.76 lbs

10th Place: Joe & Joey Malloy 4.67 lbs

11th Place: Bob & Sheldon Strunk 4.03 lbs

Monday Night Susquehanna River Tournament

1st Place: John Centak/Chet Williams 6.35 lbs

2nd Place: Brad Glazenski/Zak Matulewski 5.51 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 1.91 lbs

3rd Place: Bill Daubert/Jimmy Mattioli 5.35 lbs

4th Place: Tim & T.J. Pearson 4.95 lbs

5th Place: Joe Wyatt Fredricks/Dan Lukashewski 4.56 lbs

Harveys Lake Wednesday Night Lunker

1st Place: Dave Brill 4.91 lbs

2nd Place: Greg Mikulski Sr. 3.98 lbs

3rd Place: Jake Seymour 3.54 lbs

4th Place: George Hogan 3.41 lbs

5th Place: Joe Simko 3.39 lbs

6th Place: Justin Kubilus 3.25 lbs

7th Place: Gary Mikulski 2.96 lbs

8th Place: Kevin Seymour 2.86 lbs

9th Place: Kenny Kosloski 2.51 lbs

10th Place: Joe Kosloski. 2.25 lbs

Harveys Lake Friday Night Tournament

1st Place: Kenny Kosloski/Ron Dopko 12.89 lbs

2nd Place: Gary & Aaron Hayman 11.75 lbs

3rd Place: Johnny Niezgoda/Brad Rinehimmer 10.84 lbs

Also won Lunker Award 4.39 lbs

4th Place: Chuck Peterman/Rob Vales 10.83 lbs

5th Place: Joe Zombek 9.77 lbs

6th Place: John & Evan Stravinski 9.67 lbs

7th Place: Travis Sciandra/Gary Collins 9.00 lbs

8th Place: Matt Fredmonski/Bruce Rhin 8.88 lbs

9th Place: Pete Sulla/John Colwell 8.80 lbs

10th Place: Jonathan Kelley/Gavin Adamski 8.37 lbs

PSU short course offers preparation for

pesticide applicator certification exams

Prospective pesticide applicators can gain a foundation of knowledge about safe and proper handling and use of pesticides by attending the “Pesticide Applicator Short Course,” a Penn State Extension webinar aimed at helping participants prepare for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s pesticide applicator certification exams in categories 06, 07, 10, 23 and core.

The webinar will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 16-Oct. 18, 2024.

Organizers noted that new applicators are not required to attend the class before taking the exams, but the course may help them prepare for the exams. The course is intended for commercial, public and private applicators.

Commercial applicators apply pesticides to customers’ properties. Public applicators are funded by public money and may work for the state, a municipality, a public school district or other such entities. Private applicators include those who intend to purchase and apply restricted-use pesticides to the property they or their employer own or rent to produce an agricultural commodity, including nurseries and greenhouses.

Instructors will spend Sept. 16, Sept. 18, and Sept. 20 covering the core category, which involves training and testing on pesticide safety and regulations and is required for every certified applicator.

• Sept. 24 and Sept. 26 sessions will focus on category 06, a requirement for applicators treating trees, shrubs and ornamental plants in residential and commercial landscapes.

• On Oct. 1 and Oct. 3, attendees can learn about category 07, which is mandatory for applicators treating lawn and turf areas.

• Oct. 8 and Oct. 10 sessions will cover category 10, a requirement for applicators controlling vegetation on rights-of-way, roads and industrial sites, as well as for landscapers who control weeds on sidewalks and driveways.

• On Oct. 14, Oct. 16, and October 18, the topic will be category 23. This is required for applicators using pesticides in a campground or recreational area of a public or private park, or on elementary or secondary school property.

The course carries a $100 registration fee for the core training. The registration fee for categories 06, 07, 10 and 23 is $25 each; however, total cost for all sessions will not exceed $125. Participants must register by Sept. 12.

Instructors recommend ordering training packets in advance on the Penn State Extension website or by calling the Penn State Publications Distribution Center toll-free at 877-345-0691. To ensure on-time arrival for the course, participants should place orders before 3 p.m. and allow four business days to receive the study materials.