U.S. Department of Interior said recently it has opened a new program office intended to ensure effective, accountable and efficient implementation of the federal government’s recent investment in cleanup of orphaned oil and gas wells. Last year $43.7 million was allocated in initial funding for New Mexico from a total funding of $4.7 billion. The new office is directed by Kimbra Davis.
Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) said, “Orphaned oil and gas wells have posed a severe health risk to countless Americans for far too long, which is why I was proud to secure historic funding to clean them up through the infrastructure investment and jobs act.” Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM) added, “The well plugging and cleanup will create jobs and a healthier environment for New Mexico.”