Virginia Energy Receives $2.6 Million to Reduce
Methane Emissions in Virginia
Big Stone Gap, VA- Methane emissions will be lower in Virginia thanks to a new program to plug natural gas wells that are considered marginal producers. The Virginia Department of Energy (Virginia Energy) received $2,643,702 for the Methane Emissions Reduction Program. Virginia Energy’s Gas and Oil program will oversee the grant.
“This funding will help provide Virginia operators with funds to close these natural gas wells and reclaim the site,” said Director of Gas and Oil Phil Skorupa. “We hope to plug several of these wells over the next few years, stopping the potential for methane entering the atmosphere.”
The program is funded by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) under the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
U.S. DOE funding is designated for wells producing less than 90 thousand cubic feet of gas daily. Operators will apply to Virginia Energy for the funding to plug, or permanently seal, wells. Once
the well is plugged, the site will be reclaimed to prevent any potential environmental impacts.
The average well in Virginia produces around 30 thousand cubic feet of natural gas each day. It costs $25,000 to $75,000 to plug a natural gas well depending on well bore depth and producing formations.
The agency will receive public comment about the Methane Emissions Reduction Program via Town Hall through July 15th.
Operators interested in applying for funding should visit the Virginia Energy website. Plugging operations are expected to begin in late 2024. Methane emissions eliminated through this project will be reported on the Virginia Energy website.
