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Texas-based Weststar Exploration Co. has declared bankruptcy and abandoned 100 wells on federal and state land in northeastern Utah's Uinta Basin, the Salt Lake Tribune reports. Weststar failed to plug the wells and reclaim the land, and the wells are now leaking methane and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Reclamation bonds posted by Weststar are a mere fraction of the cost to plug and reclaim the wells, and it will likely become the responsibility of taxpayers to pay to clean up the mess Weststar is leaving behind.
This situation shows why bonding reform is needed. While the Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this year included many significant reforms to the Interior Department's oil and gas leasing program, bonding reform was left out at the last minute. Congress could pass a standalone bonding reform bill, but appears unlikely to do so in the remaining days of the lame duck session. The Bureau of Land Management could also implement bonding reform administratively through a rulemaking process. In the meantime, the costs to taxpayers—and the impacts to the environment and wildlife—will only continue to grow.
New podcast: The past year in public lands
On this episode of The Landscape, Center for Western Priorities Executive Director Jennifer Rokala and CWP Director of Campaigns and Special Projects Lauren Bogard join Aaron and Kate to go over the past year in public lands. From the passage of the largest climate bill in U.S. history (which includes major oil and gas leasing reforms) to a new national monument to the launch of a new conservation funding program, 2022 was a big year for public lands. The CWP team talks about what all of these developments mean and how they will continue playing out in 2023.
Happy Holidays!
Look West will be on vacation for the remainder of the year, and will be back in your inbox on Tuesday January 3rd.
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The Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals is the linchpin for offshore wind auctions, onshore solar permitting, and much more. Leaving the position vacant for half of President Biden’s first term while a nominee awaits Senate action verges on political malpractice”
