West Virginia legislation · 2026 Regular Session
West Virginia HB5414: New Oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act
Status: Introduced, February 10, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §22-10A-1, §22-10A-2, §22-10A-3, and §22-10A-4 all relating to creating the New Oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act that prevents new, horizontal oil and gas wells with no bona fide future use from remaining on surface owner's land with no funds available to plug the well; and requiring single-well full-cost plugging bonds or periodic set aside of plugging money in escrow in the Office of the State Treasurer. ARTICLE 10A. NEW OIL AND GAS WELL PLUGGING ASSURANCE aCT. §22-10A-1. Short title. This.
From the introduced text, February 10, 2026:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new article, designated §22-10A-1, §22-10A-2, §22-10A-3, and §22-10A-4 all relating to creating the New Oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act that prevents new, horizontal oil and gas wells with no bona fide future use from remaining on surface owner's land with no funds available to plug the well; and requiring single-well full-cost plugging bonds or periodic set aside of plugging money in escrow in the Office of the State Treasurer. ARTICLE 10A. NEW OIL AND GAS WELL PLUGGING ASSURANCE aCT. §22-10A-1. Short title. This article shall be known as the New Oil and Gas Well Plugging Assurance Act. §22-10A-2. Legislative findings and declarations. (a) The Legislature declares it to be the public policy of this state and in the public interest that an oil or gas well that does not have any present or bona fide future use must be plugged in order (2) Clarify that any previous lease by a mineral owner is no longer held by production from that well; (3) Preserve the ability to safely and economically produce from coal seams and other oil and gas bearing seams through which the well bore passed; (4) Prevent an oil or gas well from leaking gas up into the air or into groundwater; …
Sponsors
- Hansen, Evan (D, 079) · primary sponsor