Jerome Bettis, former Pittsburgh Steeler running back, speaks during a news conference Wednesday commemorating the 400th orphan and abandoned well plugging in Pennsylvania during Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.

Gov. Josh Shapiro is celebrating the 400th plugged orphan and abandoned well in Pennsylvania during his three years as governor – more than the state had plugged in 11 years.

The Allegheny National Forest is working to add to that number. Work to plug several orphaned oil and gas wells along, and near, the Allegheny National Forest’s Minister Creek trail began in May and June. Orphaned wells are found throughout the nation: in backyards, in cities, on farms, and in places we recreate. Most are decades old and exist on state and private lands. A recent inventory found that nearly 16,000 wells are located on public federal lands.

Millions of Americans across the country live within one mile of an orphaned oil and gas well. Unplugged wells can release methane and provide pathways for contaminants to reach surface and groundwater.

Those visiting the forest can expect to see equipment — including trucks, excavators, and workover rigs — along the trail and staged in the parking lot, as well as selective widening of the trail. Portions of the trail and nearby campsites may be closed temporarily to keep visitors safe.

This work is funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which created new programs for plugging, remediation, and restoration on federal, state, private, and tribal lands. Partnerships with states remain essential because most legacy wells sit on lands where surface and mineral ownership is split.

For more information about field operations or temporary closures, contact Rich Hatfield, Bradford District Ranger, at richard.hatfield@usda.gov or 814-363-6098.

State officials held a ceremony Wednesday in Imperial, Pa., to celebrate the 400th orphaned and abandoned well under Shapiro’s time as governor. Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection secretary, joined well plugging operator M&A Resources and its owner and CEO, former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, alongside local leaders, environmental advocates, and high school students from Allegheny County to mark the milestone.

The 400th well was plugged in North Fayette Township under an emergency contract with Washington County-based M&A Resources. The well was actively leaking methane in a residential neighborhood less than a mile from West Allegheny Middle School and West Allegheny High School.

“Western Pennsylvania has a long and proud energy history. Addressing legacy wells takes commitment, resources, and experienced people on the ground doing the work. That’s why collaborations like this matter,” said Bettis. “When government and industry work together, we create jobs, support local communities, and tackle challenges that benefit everyone, and we’re proud to be part of that effort.”

The Shapiro Administration has made plugging orphaned and abandoned wells a priority because these wells can leak methane, threaten groundwater, create safety hazards, and limit opportunities for economic development and community revitalization. Plugging wells helps reduce emissions, protect public health, create family-sustaining jobs, and prepare land for future use.

Governor Shapiro has directed DEP to leverage all available federal funding opportunities to accelerate well plugging efforts across Pennsylvania. The Governor marked the 100th, 200th, and 300th well plugging milestones under his Administration.

In October 2022, DEP’s well plugging work was supercharged by a $25 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Initial Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI).

In September 2024, DEP received an additional $76.4 million from DOI through a Phase 1 Formula Grant award to continue plugging orphaned and abandoned wells. In March 2026, DEP received $114.6 million through a Phase 2 Formula Grant and remains eligible for additional funding through a Phase 3 Formula Grant.

DEP has identified more than 27,000 orphaned and abandoned wells statewide and continues prioritizing those posing the greatest risks to public health, safety, and the environment. New plugging contracts will focus on these high-priority wells, along with nearby wells, to maximize efficiency and preempt environmental threats.

“Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania is making historic progress plugging orphaned and abandoned wells that threaten public health, communities, and the environment,” Shirley said. “By maximizing every available state and federal funding source, DEP is shrinking Pennsylvania’s inventory of orphaned and abandoned wells, creating jobs, reducing methane emissions, and helping communities reclaim land that has been impacted for generations.”