Inside Energy (https://insideenergy.org/series/reclamation-blues/page/2/)
There are one million acres of land across this country “disturbed” by coal mining. Since the 1950s we’ve drilled more than two and half million oil and gas wells. All of this is testimony to our deep energy appetites, but these mines and wells – eventually – need to be cleaned up. Coal mines must be reclaimed and restored to their original ecosystems. Gas and oil wells must be plugged to avoid leaks and environmental damage in the future. Inside Energy is investigating the systems and regulations put in place to clean up mines and wells.
In Wyoming, the bust of the coal bed methane industry has left the state responsible for plugging thousands of wells, at a cost of tens of millions of dollars. Now, with both oil and natural gas prices in a slump, some are asking whether history is bound to repeat itself.
