Bennet promises to advance the Stop Orphaned Wells Act to prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning wells on public lands and ensure operators, rather than taxpayers, pay for cleanup.

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.) led U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) to introduce the Stop Orphaned Wells Act, legislation that would prevent oil and gas companies from abandoning oil wells on public lands, a practice that shifts well cleanup costs from oil and gas companies to the American taxpayer. “For too long, taxpayers have footed the bill to clean up abandoned wells after companies walk away from their responsibilities,” said Bennet. “As the Trump administration moves to weaken the safeguards that hold companies accountable, Congress must protect taxpayers and the public lands that power Colorado’s outdoor economy, while making sure oil and gas companies pay the cost of cleanup, rather than Colorado’s future generations.”

Bennet introduced the Stop Orphaned Wells Act and said Congress must protect taxpayers and public lands while ensuring oil and gas companies pay cleanup costs.

Bennet, Ansari, Padilla, Hickenlooper, Schiff, Luján Introduce Legislation to Protect Public Lands and Taxpayers from Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells - U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
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