Texas faces growing challenge in plugging abandoned oil wells

Despite receiving federal funds, Texas struggles to keep up with an increasing number of abandoned oil wells; threatening land, water and human health.

James Osborne reports for The Houston Chronicle.

In short:

• The Texas Railroad Commission's list of wells to be plugged has grown to nearly 8,200, up 3% since August 2022.
• Texas plugged 19,000 wells from 2005 to 2022, but the list of orphan wells increased by 21,000 during the same period.
• Federal funding has helped Texas plug 730 wells, the most in any state, but state funding for well plugging has declined.