Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025

# Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Orphan Well Grant Flexibility Act of 2025 aims to increase flexibility in how federal grants are used to clean up "orphan wells"—abandoned oil and gas wells that have no responsible owner to pay for their closure. Currently, federal grant programs have strict rules about how money can be spent on these cleanup projects. This bill would likely relax those restrictions, allowing states and organizations to use the grant funds more flexibly to address these environmental hazards. **Who It Affects and Key Impact** The bill would primarily affect oil and gas producing states, environmental remediation companies, and communities dealing with abandoned wells.

Orphan wells pose environmental and safety risks, including groundwater contamination and methane emissions. By providing more flexible funding options, the legislation could potentially speed up cleanup efforts and allow states to better tailor solutions to their specific needs. **Current Status** As of now, HR 1217 remains in committee and has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was introduced by Representative Glenn Thompson (R-PA) in the 119th Congress.