Jerome Bettis helps plug abandoned gas wells
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The Bus is working to plug the area's abandoned gas and oil wells. Photo: Courtesy of Department of Environmental Protection
Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome "The Bus" Bettis is working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by plugging the region's abandoned gas and oil wells.
Why it matters: The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) estimates there are hundreds of thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells in the state — with a large concentration in Western Pennsylvania — leaking greenhouse gases like methane into the atmosphere.
Context: Bettis is the CEO of M&A Resources, a Canonsburg-based energy-services company that was recently contracted by the DEP to plug orphaned gas and oil wells.
Driving the news: Bettis and the DEP celebrated plugging 400 abandoned wells under Gov. Josh Shapiro's administration with an event in Imperial on Wednesday.
Zoom in: The 400th well was plugged nearby in North Fayette Township, less than a mile from West Allegheny High School.
What they're saying: "Western Pennsylvania has a long and proud energy history, and we're proud to be part of the work helping address legacy wells across the Commonwealth," said Bettis at the event.
- "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," said DEP secretary Jessica Shirley.
Between the lines: Researchers at Penn State University found rust-colored deposits near abandoned wells, indicating methane leaks into the atmosphere and the groundwater.
- "Methane is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere," according to the EPA.
Follow the money: Pennsylvania has received $216 million from the federal government since 2022 to plug wells, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Friction point: Shapiro sued President Trump last year over the freezing of federal funds, including those for abandoned well mitigation.
- The funds were unfrozen a couple of weeks later.