Two announcements this week will have positive environmental impacts across the state and in Butler County.

Officials shared that Pennsylvania will receive $104 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for cleanup of abandoned oil and gas wells.

Also, PennEnergy Resources announced that not only has the company achieved Project Canary certification, but 99% of shale gas wells owned by the company received the highest environmental rating.

Nearly all of PennEnergy’s 378 wells were certified as “responsibly resourced gas,” which means the gas was produced in the most environmentally responsible manner possible.

Of those wells, 375 earned gold and platinum ratings, according to PennEnergy.

The 378 wells were measured against strict environmental and social standards regarding air, water, land and community, PennEnergy said.

“We’ve built our business around top talent and industry-leading (environmental, social and governance) performance and are proud to achieve best-in-class status by Project Canary’s rigorous review across all of our well pads,” said Rich Weber, PennEnergy chairman and CEO.

PennEnergy, which acquired Rex Energy’s wells a few years ago, operates 299 wells in Butler County.

“Our independent analysis validates PennEnergy’s commitment to operational excellence and ESG performance,” said Chris Romer, Project Canary co-founder and CEO. “Responsible operations and environmental stewardship are a top PennEnergy priority, and we’re proud to help further advance their progress in ESG leadership.”

In a news release, U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th, said abandoned oil and gas wells leak methane into the atmosphere, pose health and safety risks, and can pollute local groundwater.

“Plugging these wells will create jobs and protect the environment,” Lamb said. “In a divided Washington, this issue has strong bipartisan support.”

Lamb called the $104 million in federal infrastructure funds “a huge win for Pennsylvania.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been working to plug abandoned gas and oil wells for several years.

“The grant .. .greatly enhances the well-being of our residents,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “In addition to reducing environmental impacts caused by abandoned and orphan wells, it also creates jobs.

“This funding goes a long way, and we are grateful for this level of support.”

The DEP website states that hundreds of thousands of wells were drilled in Pennsylvania since the installation of the very first well in 1859.

While owners and operators are legally responsible for plugging wells, factors like wells being drilled prior to decommissioning regulations, companies filing bankruptcy or moving out of state, and new landowners buying properties containing old wells being unaware of regulations result in abandoned gas and oil wells.

DEP’s Well Plugging Program was established under the Oil and Gas Act to plug wells with no identifiable responsible party.

Part of the program’s funding comes from a surcharge ranging from $150 to $250 per new oil or gas well that is paid by drillers and deposited into a DEP account established for abandoned well decommissioning activities.

Since 2016, DEP received an average of $419,000 per year from these permit surcharges, according to McDonnell.

According to maps on the DEP website, three abandoned wells in Butler County have been plugged in the DEP Well Plugging Program.

The Kretzer well in Jefferson Township near the intersection of Saxonburg and Burtner roads was plugged because persistent gas discharge threatened a nearby structure and was the likely cause of methane contamination in a well nearby.

The Sherrick well on the border of Concord and Fairview townships was plugged when it was reported to DEP that acid mine drainage was being discharged into a tributary of Bear Creek at a rate of 10 to 40 gallons per minute.

The Seybert well on Campbell Road in Concord Township was plugged when it was suspected of causing water well contamination.

The map does not list the dates when these wells were plugged.

Dozens of abandoned gas and oil wells continue to languish in Butler County, according to a DEP map.

One cluster of about 20 abandoned wells appears in Oakland Township between Conway and Stein roads, and 15 in Penn Township at the intersection of Route 8 and Dinnerbell Road.