Funds will be used to plug orphaned gas wells located on State-owned or privately-owned land, and remediate and reclaim lands impacted by associated development activities. Equity principles are incorporated through the prioritization process for the Orphaned Well Program. The program rates orphaned well sites as high, medium, or low priority and then addresses them in that order. Population density, urbanization, environmental factors (including safety concerns), and years in service are considered in this rating. Once funds have been obligated to high priority sites, disproportionately impacted communities receive preference for funding. As of 2023, 50 wells have been plugged in disproportionately impacted communities, representing 49% of all completed projects.
