Protecting Our Country’s Resources: the States’ Case

Authors: Rachel Henderson and Cynthia Archiniaco

Venue:
(1) For House staff on April 16th at 10:00 AM in Rayburn 2218 using a House Energy and Commerce Committee room and sponsored by Congressman Stupak of Michigan.

(2) For Senate staff on April 17th at 11:00 AM in Dirkson 366 under the sponsorship of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in the Energy and Commerce Committee hearing room.

(3) For Environmental NGOs on April 16th at 2:00 PM at the IOGCC offices located at 1333 New Hampshire Ave NW. This meeting will also have conference call capabilities to allow non-Washington based NGOs to participate.

(4) For DOE Office of Fossil Energy Staff at Forrestal Building on April 17th at 9:00 AM. The room number has yet to be determined.

Washington, D.C., April 16-17, 2008 (http://www.iogcc.state.ok.us [external site])

Abstract: Harold Fitch, IOGCC associate representative for the state of Michigan will make a brief educational presentation about the current status of Orphan Wells in the United States, based upon the information from the IOGCC study and the state of Michigan’s point of view.

The information will be presented to the U.S. Senate staff, the U.S. House of Representatives staff and the environmental community in three different sessions. During each session there will be a 20 minute presentation, followed by 10-15 minutes of questioning as needed. Each attendee will receive a copy of “Protecting Our Country’s Resources: The States’ Case,” published by the IOGCC.

Related NETL Project
This presentation is related to the NETL project DE-FC26-06NT155672, “Technology’s Impact on Production: Developing Environmental Solutions at the States and National Level.” The purpose of this project is to assist State governments in the effective, efficient and environmentally sound regulation of the exploration and production of natural gas and crude oil. The items envisioned for the IOGCC to undertake are national in scope. However, there are significant regional differences among states that make "one size fits all" programs unacceptable. One of the strengths of the IOGCC is its ability to address these national issues while maintaining the more local flexibility. There are two basic thrusts of these efforts: 1) research and 2) transferring findings to appropriate constituencies. The project will address orphan wells, impacts of new environmental technologies, and environmental issues associated with wells nearing the end of productive life.

Project Contacts
NETL – Virginia (Ginny) Weyland (Virginia.WEYLAND@netl.doe.gov or 918-699-2041)
IOGCC – Henderson, Rachel (rachel.henderson@iogcc.state.ok.us or 405 525-3556, ext 107)