By Associated Press - Saturday, March 22, 2014

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) - An upcoming public meeting in Gillette will address the state’s plans for plugging abandoned coal-bed methane wells.

The meeting is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. April 2 at Gillette College. A representative from Gov. Matt Mead’s office will be there to talk to state officials and the public about the plugging program.

The number of abandoned coal-bed methane wells in northeast Wyoming is growing as production of coal-bed methane slows down.



Operators have abandoned more than 1,200 wells on state and private land. The Gillette News-Record reports (https://bit.ly/1r87pe6 ) another 2,300 wells could join that list soon. Abandoned wells can become an environmental hazard if they’re not plugged soon after production ceases.

The Legislature recently set aside an extra $3 million to help the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission begin plugging wells more quickly.

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Information from: The Gillette (Wyo.) News Record, https://www.gillettenewsrecord.com

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