Video & Transcript Research : 'plugging and abandonment'
Page 1 of 500
AL
Alabama 2026 1st Special Session
Alabama Senate Transportation and Energy Committee Jan 22nd, 2026
Transportation and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- Thank you, and thank the committee for being here and considering this.
- Alabama's been blessed with oil and gas in many ways and forms, and we have gone after those energy sources
- And this would allow a geothermal company to come in and open that under the authority of the Oil and
- >
in <00:04:01.360>that and use for water and such in that and use for water and such in - produce steam and heat and pull it out. produce steam and heat and pull it out. Geothermal.
Keywords:
business taxes, annual reports, Alabama Tax Tribunal, tax appeals, local government, SB174, alternative energy, alternative energy wells, alternative energy facility, geothermal, geothermal energy, subsurface energy, energy storage, energy capture, energy generation, hydropower, solar energy, oil and gas well conversion, well conversion, plugging and abandonment
AL
Alabama 2025 Regular Session
Alabama House Agriculture and Forestry Committee Feb 26th, 2025
Agriculture and Forestry
Transcript Highlights:
- Chairman and members, our law on abandonment of a dog or cat is included in the...
- We are pulling abandonment out of the cruelty definition, specifically defining abandonment of a dog
- Right now, it falls under cruelty, and that's what I was asking— is there a punishment for the abandonment
- So if you abandon a dog or cat and that dog or cat dies, it becomes a felony under the abandonment definition
- She thinks this would allow if you were to abandon your dog on the side of the road and somehow got caught
Keywords:
SB64, Alabama, state waters, public waters, aquatic plants, aquatic vegetation, lake management, waterway maintenance, environmental regulation, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, DCNR, commercial contractors, vegetation removal, mowing aquatic plants, uprooting plants, Class C misdemeanor, fine, water quality, invasive species, lakes
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The plugging of orphan oil and gas wells in Texas.
- plugging and long-term maintenance.
- landowners participating in the plugging program. ...oversight and final approval before any plugging
- . and determining plugging exceptions.
- Eventually, a new operator took over and plugged the well, and they found... the tubing was corroded
Keywords:
inactive wells, oil and gas regulation, environmental protection, Railroad Commission of Texas, well plugging, Railroad Commission, penalties, violations, pipeline safety, civil penalties, criminal penalties, wildfire prevention, oil and gas, safety inspections, administrative penalties, excavation, notification, utilities, underground facilities, regulatory compliance
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- But in trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, you know, so I see the same parallel in
- While operators must remove tanks and surface equipment to extend plugging deadlines, they are not specifically
- While operators must remove tanks and surface equipment to extend plugging deadlines, they are not specifically
- I am in the oil and gas business and I participate in oil and gas. I would want these...
- substantiate all of those costs and, and.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Natural Resources heard several House bills dealing with environmental regulation, oil and gas safety, landfill permits, and utility cost recovery. HB 1237, by Rep. Geren and sponsored by Sen. Zaffirini, would extend TCEQ occupational license renewal deadlines from 30 days to 90 days, allow renewal up to one year with higher fees, and require a new application after longer expiration; the committee substitute clarified that applicants may continue working only until renewal is approved or denied and set a 180-day cutoff for renewal. HB 3071, sponsored by Sen. Hancock, would require TCEQ to cancel certain long-dormant municipal solid waste permits; members discussed concerns about precedent, ownership changes, and whether the bill should be narrowed, and the bill was left pending with a committee substitute expected.
The committee also heard HB 2663, sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, which would require operators of inactive oil and gas wells to remove or de-energize electrical equipment after 10 years and authorize Railroad Commission penalties for false compliance. Testimony from landowners, cattle raisers, and the Sierra Club supported the bill as a wildfire-prevention measure, and the bill was left pending. HB 4384, also by Rep. Darby and sponsored by Sen. Birdwell, would let natural gas utilities defer certain infrastructure costs for later recovery through the GRIP process; utility representatives supported it as credit-positive and consistent with existing accounting, while consumer advocates opposed it as increasing rates without enough oversight. The committee discussed possible amendments to add more cost controls, and the bill was left pending.
Later, the committee voted HB 2563, the companion to SB 2510, favorably to the full Senate by a 5-0 vote and ordered it certified for the local and uncontested calendar. The committee then took up HB 143, which would codify interagency procedures for addressing electrical power line safety at well sites and related facilities after wildfire concerns; members said a committee substitute had been negotiated with agencies and stakeholders to clarify responsibilities, timelines, and inspection authority while reducing fiscal impact. No final vote was taken on HB 143, and the committee recessed with several bills still pending.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Hearing and seeing none, it is adopted.
- all amendments thereof do pass and be printed.
- There will be nine ayes and no nays. The bill will be reported favorably to the full Senate.
- Senator Zaffirini recommends the bill for local and uncontested consideration. None.
- Senator Birdwell moves that House Bill 2663 be passed and printed. Clerk, call the roll.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- In trying to get the abandoned wells and inactive wells, I see the same parallel in what you're trying
- While operators must remove tanks and surface equipment to extend plugging deadlines, they are not specifically
- electric poles and faulty electric equipment on an oil and gas site.
- I am in the oil and gas business, and I participate in oil and gas. I want these things to happen.
- And the regulatory delay, as you described, and I think as Mr.
Keywords:
occupational licenses, renewal, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, registration, license expiration, HB 2663, inactive well, plugging extension, Railroad Commission of Texas, RRC, oil and gas, orphan wells, well cleanup, well plugging, abandoned wells, surface equipment removal, electric service termination, administrative penalty, Natural Resources Code, Section 89.029
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Natural Resources and Energy (10-19-23)
Keywords:
KY LRC YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9NoLfE1zVY, 2026-06-21T07:17:05+00:00, 2.2.24, Data collected via generic collector engine, Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:00:15
Approval of Minutes 00:02:41
Update from the Energy and Environment Cabinet on the Orphan Oil and Gas Well Plugging Program 00:02:54
The Kentucky GRANT Program Established by 2023 House Bill 9 00:19:00, 958, all, 2.2.42, 2.1.47
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-2 May 14th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- , and act relating to property and critical infrastructure.
- And then we get into a little bit more of the details and under C and D in the last section It should
- And we're going to have to take that and address it as a caucus and see if there's going to be the momentum
- Speaker, and I'll respect that and understand that.
- And I'm here, and she's home with a newborn.
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 58-1 May 14th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, and honored guests.
- And roads, education, and tax relief.
- to the Corporation Commission Plugging Fund ribs and bowls.
- Some go to the well plug and fund that we just talked about. Thank you for that question.
- and myself, and you know how this normally goes.
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
House of Representatives Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature Day 57 May 13th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Oklahoma House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the introduction of the doctor and nurse of the day.
- The previous state journal, House and Senate bills and joint resolutions on second reading, reassignment
- of bills and resolutions, reports and joint committee reports, ratings, and placing motions will be
- We pray for your strength as we wait upon the Senate and in your holy son's name, we pray.
- I was planning to announce on Monday that my son turned 13 over the weekend, and so I want to wish him
Keywords:
legislative procedure, session calendar, deadline schedule, bill deadlines, joint resolution, Oklahoma Legislature, 61st Legislature, regular session, adjourn sine die, floor deadline, third reading, committee deadlines, bill drafting, appropriations, budget bills, ethics commission, agency rules, administrative procedures act, local and special laws, pension legislation
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- And so when staff and I met on doing this, I didn't know where to start and I am open for conversations
- And so one of my so that and that is recurring.
- Chair, and committee members, visitors, and friends, and Senator Woods.
- and blasting.
- you could go on and on and on.
Keywords:
environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- plug a problematic orphan well with allocated public funds or adopt the well and the associated liability
- and plug it themselves before producing nearby wells.
- This program will expedite the plugging of certain orphaned wells and help increase oil and gas production
- To do so within 30 days and then plug or replug the well in accordance with Railroad Commission rules
- or contract with a plugger to plug an orphan well and not assume liability to the landowner on which
Keywords:
concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee Apr 6th, 2026 at 10:30 am
A&B Natural Resources Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- And the GM Davis Arms and Historical Museum, there's no fiscal impact.
- They require large amounts of investment, and I believe this allows us to move forward and to reduce
- And anytime there's been a question, there's certainly been a check and balance.
- And there's a couple of strategic investments that could be made there that would increase tourism and
- So this is wildly successful, and so we're just trying to get it even more successful, and we're really
Keywords:
tourism, revolving fund, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, real property, fund management, Oklahoma Local Food for Schools, school meals, local food procurement, farm to school, school districts, Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, local producers, meat processors, reimbursement program, agriculture, nutrition, farmers, ranchers, local sourcing
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The smallest probably the last person to have it before it's plugged and they're financial rigor and
- And eventually it gets to the point where it's sold for the plugging liability only.
- abandoned wells and find new ways to stimulate them.
- We certainly want Wells plugged, and we... want active wells producing.
- that operators pay to plug their own wells, not taxpayers and not the Railroad Commission.
Keywords:
concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- wait for the state to prioritize and eventually plug a problematic orphan well with allocated public
- funding. or adopt the well and the associated liability and plug it themselves before producing nearby
- This program will expedite the plugging of certain orphaned wells and help increase oil and gas production
- It is the contractor, the operator, the plugger's intent to do so within 30 days and then plug or re-plug
- removes 69 70 provided for reimbursement service owners for plugging an orphan oil and gas well. 72
Keywords:
concrete plants, environmental regulation, permit process, air quality, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, SB 1061, uranium mining, production area authorization, TCEQ, Water Code, groundwater, groundwater conservation district, restoration table value, restoration values, contested case hearing, Chapter 2001, mineral rights, surface owners, notice requirements, environmental permitting
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- So I understand from the testimony here today also, that you're basically plugging holes and that you
- just between 2023 and 2024, and Mr.
- take that intelligence gained from that and plug it back into their database that then may eventually
- And, you know, PFAS being an example, and dioxins, and DDT, and other substances.
- and the information and continued work.
Keywords:
HB 48, oilfield theft, organized theft, petroleum products, oil and gas equipment, DPS, Department of Public Safety, Texas, Railroad Commission, criminal justice, energy resources, theft prevention, organized crime, border region, El Paso, law enforcement task force, asset recovery, pipeline theft, drilling equipment, equipment theft
TX
Bills:
SB 3074, HB 49, HB 2440, HB 3556, HB 3619, HB 3866, HB 4042, HB 4112, HB 4271, HB 4413, HB 4426, HB 5033
Keywords:
oil waste, gas waste, liability, treatment processes, environmental safety, beneficial use, motor vehicle, air quality, energy source, engine, state implementation plan, construction, wildlife impact, height restrictions, national wildlife refuge, environmental regulations, surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Feb 26th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Oklahoma Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- That you would bless the leaders, members, and staff of both chambers with patience, discernment, and
- And so now, after 43 years of service, including Within the ER, trauma, and critical care departments
- Toby Keith sang about loving his Country and he lived it day in and day out.
- and received countless awards and honors for his musical achievements.
- And whereas he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and recognition of his lasting
Bills:
SB1246, SB1510, SB1979, SB1929, SB1930, SB1976, HCR1019, SB1459, SB1673, SB1500, SB1447, SB1646, SB2007, SB1275, SB2074
Keywords:
environmental permitting, Oklahoma, Department of Environmental Quality, public participation, regulatory framework, administered applications, energy, wind energy, financial assurance, property restoration, environmental regulation, mining, blasting, residential protection, buffer zone, Department of Mines, public utilities, electric transmission lines, landowner rights, payment regulations
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Members, usually when a surface landowner has drilling operations and plugging operations on their land
- and allow the landowner to witness that plug.
- And the reason for that is because that plug is there to protect the surface estate. ...which, i.e.,
- The landowner has the opportunity to go on location and witness that to make sure that the plug job's
- You know, you add another five... ...$10,000 and $15,000 to the cost of plugging a well, that's not good
Keywords:
surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- And this is contaminated. It is oil and gas, fluid, oil and gas waste.
- And I think the industry and gas representatives, the Railroad Commission, landowners, and environmental
- with oil and gas waste and disposal.
- try and...
- And...
Keywords:
surface estate, well plugging, Railroad Commission, landowner rights, liability, strategic reserve, gas supply, petroleum products, disaster response, Railroad Commission of Texas, energy security, emergency planning, oil and gas waste, environmental regulation, waste management, mining pits, groundwater monitoring, regulation, commercial disposal facilities, environmental standards