Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stopped by Butler County Tuesday to mark a milestone of his administration.
During a visit to West Sunbury, Shapiro reflected on the 200th orphaned or abandoned well that has been plugged through the first 14 months that he has been in office.
This is more than the previous nine years combined with the last 100 wells plugged in about half the time it took to plug the first 100. This action helps reduce methane emissions and improves public health along with creating jobs across the state.
Money to pay for this project so far has come from the federal government through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act but Shapiro has proposed including $11 million in his budget for next year to continue the work. There are approximately 350,000 orphaned or abandoned wells across the state.
Joining Shapiro were officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as well as state Representative Tim Bonner.