COMMERCE CITY - On August 23, 2024, Governor Polis, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, U.S. Representative Yadira Caraveo, Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Brad Crabtree and US Environmental Protection Agency Regional Director KC Becker, announced a $12.6 million federal grant for the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) to support methane emissions reduction through voluntary plugging of oil and gas wells across Colorado on non-federal lands.

“Now we will get some more old wells plugged. Colorado is a national leader in reducing emissions and protecting our air quality, and these grants will strengthen this work and move us closer to our climate goals. Everyone deserves access to clean air, and we appreciate the Biden-Harris administration’s partnership in these efforts,” said Governor Jared Polis.

Colorado will utilize funding to reduce methane emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions through the voluntary permanent plugging, remediation, and reclamation of marginal wells on non-Federal lands. This effort will prioritize wells that are known to be high methane emitters and those close to disproportionately impacted communities.

“We want to thank the EPA and DOE for supporting this important work in Colorado,” said ECMC Interim Director Aaron Ray. “This federally funded program will improve local air quality, reduce methane emissions, and create benefits for disproportionately impacted communities in our state. This program also aligns with other efforts in Colorado to improve oil and gas permitting processes, strengthen our financial assurance requirements, and facilitate the development of projects that support the State’s climate and energy goals.”

This grant is part of the EPA and DOE’s Methane Emissions Reduction Program, which received $350 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to reduce methane emissions from low-producing well sites and improve air quality for surrounding communities in 14 states, including Colorado.

About the ECMC

The mission of the Colorado Energy & Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) is to regulate the development and production of the natural resources of oil and gas, deep geothermal resources, the capture and sequestration of carbon, and the underground storage of natural gas in a manner that protects public health, safety, welfare, the environment and wildlife resources. Visit the ECMC website for more information.