LouisianaLouisiana House requests study of oil and gas well cleanup costs
The Louisiana House asks the Department of Conservation and Energy to estimate well cleanup costs that may fall to taxpayers and identify funding sources.
What it does
The Louisiana House asks the Department of Conservation and Energy to study oil and gas well cleanup costs, funding, and taxpayers’ risk. It requests a written report by March 1, 2027.
Argument forIdentifying cleanup costs that operators cannot cover could help lawmakers plan funding and reduce taxpayers’ exposure to unpaid bills.
Argument againstPreparing detailed cost estimates could take department staff time while abandoned wells still need cleanup.
More detail
The Louisiana House asks the Department of Conservation and Energy to study well closure and cleanup costs, funding sources, and taxpayers’ risk. The study covers wells without a responsible operator and wells with responsible parties that are inactive or produce less than the energy equivalent of one barrel of oil per day. Cost estimates include related facilities, land restoration, and platform removal where appropriate, with breakdowns by location and enforcement district. The study examines what operators can pay and why over 1,000 wells joined the orphan well list in 2025. The resolution calls for a written report to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment by March 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Adopted
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 3Taken by the Clerk of the House and presented to the Secretary of State in accordance with the Rules of the House.Latest
- Jun 1Read by title, roll called, yeas 92, nays 0. The resolution was adopted.
- Vote recorded FINAL CONSIDERATION (#1860). Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 1Enrolled and signed by the Speaker of the House.Minor
- May 26Discharged from the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
- May 26Read by title, passed to 3rd reading.Minor
- May 26Scheduled for floor debate on 06/01/2026.
- May 25Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.Minor
- May 20Read by title. Lies over under the rules.Introduced
Environment & EnergyTaxes & Budget