In a nutshell:The estimated 800,000 orphaned wells in the US contribute to methane emissions and pose a threat to local ecosystems. The big picture:Abandoned oil and gas wells pose significant health risks to both the environment and nearby communities. Abandoned oil wells are a problem in the ocean as well as on land. Hannah Seo wrote about tens of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in The Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, toothless regulation leaves climate warming gas emissions unchecked.

Source: Washington Post July 16, 2023 17:46 UTC