Wheeling, W.Va. (WVDN) – Governor Patrick Morrisey held a ceremonial bill signing for House Bill 3336, which updates West Virginia oil and gas laws to allow a different method for plugging abandoned and orphaned wells.
“We must protect West Virginia’s natural resources and unique environment,” said Governor Morrisey. “This new law cuts unnecessary regulation, safeguards our ecosystem, and saves taxpayer dollars.”
Governor Morrisey, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Secretary Harold Ward, and lawmakers were at the ceremony at the Heritage Port Amphitheater in Wheeling to celebrate the signing of the bill, which goes into effect on July 10, 2025.
“With more than 21,000 abandoned wells across the state, we need every tool available to address this challenge efficiently and safely,” said WVDEP Secretary Harold Ward. “House Bill 3336 gives our plugging partners and operators the flexibility to adapt to real-world conditions and maximize every dollar of available funding without compromising environmental protection. We’re grateful to Governor Morrisey and the Legislature for recognizing the urgency of this issue and providing the support needed to move this solution forward.”
“Today I am honored to join Governor Morrisey as he signs the well plugging bill,” said Delegate Mark Zatezalo. “This bill allows modern wells to be plugged efficiently while maintaining fresh water protections present in the initial well construction. This is a good use of upgraded well construction and technological advancement.”
House Bill 3336 allows operators to pierce the casing of abandoned and orphaned wells and fill them with cement without having to remove the central casing. This method has been successfully tested in the field under a WVDEP pilot project and meets environmental and safety standards. Previously, State Code required operators to remove most of a well’s infrastructure before plugging it with cement or other materials, even when the casing was damaged or unsafe to remove.
