Orphan wells being plugged in Millcreek Twp. to reduce methane emissions
A national environmental foundation has begun efforts to plug orphaned gas wells in Millcreek Township, Pennsylvania, to reduce methane emissions affecting local neighborhoods.
Pennsylvania has the second highest number of orphaned wells in the United States, many of which are leaking methane into nearby communities. The Well Done Foundation is addressing this issue by sealing abandoned wells, including one in Millcreek Township, which is estimated to emit as much methane annually as 1,100 cars.
Bill passes PA House incentivizing buying healthy food with SNAP
'Just in Erie County alone, there are literally hundreds and hundreds of these orphan wells,' said Curtis Shuck, Chairman of the Well Done Foundation.
'One of our top priorities, of course, is keeping our residents safe, and when we have contaminants that are floating in the air and getting into our water table, that is going to pose life-threatening problems,' said Kim Clear, Millcreek Township Supervisor.
The Well Done Foundation has successfully sealed 57 abandoned wells across the country and is now working on its 58th in Millcreek Township. This particular well, located in the 2600 block of West 25th Street, is believed to have been used by farmers centuries ago but has since been neglected.
The well is situated just 15 feet from housing and close to township stormwater drains, making it a priority for plugging. Township officials acknowledge the long-term health benefits that the project will bring to the community.
Brig Niagara arrives in Maine to undergo $5 million worth of repairs
Workers discovered high pressure inside the well, and crews will relieve this pressure by pumping cement into the well to ensure it is fully sealed. This process aims to eliminate any points for gas or fluids to leak to the surface.
Curtis Shuck noted the challenge of dealing with undocumented orphan wells, stating, 'As we start to get into these wells, we work with the state of Pennsylvania to see if they have any records or any known history on the well. This was an undocumented orphan well before it was brought to their attention.'
The Well Done Foundation's initiative in Millcreek Township represents a significant step in addressing environmental and public health concerns associated with orphaned wells. When work on this well finishes in about a week, they'll move over to work on another orphan well near the former Manor Motel on West 8th Street.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Columbus State Cougars making connections in South Korea
SEOUL, South Korea (WRBL) – While most Columbus State University students aren't in class this summer, some students and CSU President Dr. Stuart Rayfield are in South Korea. In this foreign exchange program they are learning about South Korean culture first CSU contingent is spending 10 days in South Korea. Dr. Rayfield went to South Korea to look for new academic and economic opportunities with a focus on the country's direct investment in Georgia. South Korea is one of the top five investors in the Peach State. June 6th is also Korean Memorial Day. It's a holiday dedicated to honor the soldiers and civilians that died in war, specifically the Korean War. Dr. Rayfield says this trip and holiday underlines the importance of the partnership between the U.S. and South Korea. 'It really puts a lot into perspective how important our relationship is with South Korea,' Dr. Rayfield said. 'It's not just a military connection or relationship. It's an economic relationship. It's a cultural relationship. So being here today specifically and earlier this week they had their SNAP election. Just really felt a sense of pride in the community and a sense of love of country.' This is Dr. Rayfield's first time to visit South Korea, and she plans to meet up with the CSU students in South Korea this weekend. The CSU contingent plans to return back to the Fountain City on June 11th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Reed: Musk-Trump fight ‘won't hurt' efforts to stop ‘big beautiful bill'
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — As Senator Jack Reed continues a tour around Rhode Island to warn of the proposed effects of President Donald Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a fight is unfolding between Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, just days after Musk left the White House. 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,' Musk told CBS Sunday Morning's David Pogue last week. 'But I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion.' Republicans in the House passed $1.5 trillion in spending cuts to offset trillions more in tax cuts, which President Trump said would provide financial relief for Americans. But with the bill moving to the Senate, Democrats need three Republicans to stop the legislation. 'Will it help? It certainly won't hurt to have Musk suddenly being [Trump's] chief critic,' Reed said. 'In the long run, it's still too soon to say that people will break with the president.' At a news conference at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank on Friday, Reed warned Rhode Islanders to prepare for cuts to food assistance programs like SNAP, should the 'big beautiful bill' pass. 'It's a lifeline to more than 144,000 Rhode Islanders,' he said. 'Particularly low-income families, particularly children and seniors.' Under the proposed bill, the Congressional Budget Office estimates, the federal government would spend $267 billion less on SNAP between 2026 and 2034. Reed said that cut could mean 17,000 Rhode Islanders losing SNAP benefits, adding that state leaders would have to decide how to cover $85 million in federal funds. Lisa Roth Blackman, the chief philanthropy officer for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said nonprofits won't be able to fill that gap either. 'The charitable system is not equipped to fill in that size of a hole,' she said. Blackman said the food bank is also facing a state budget cut of roughly 30%. She is asking the General Assembly to instead pass a bill that would raise the food bank's allocation from the $800,000 it received last year up to $1 million. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
DTA ‘Pathways to Work' program celebrates its participants
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll Administration is celebrating residents who have transitioned from public assistance to meaningful employment. The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) provides services and benefits to over 1.2 million people in the state. When families ask for SNAP or cash assistance, they are offered other opportunities, such as different programs. How many families are in Massachusetts emergency housing assistance One of the programs is called 'Pathways to Work'. In this program, participants receive job and college readiness training. At the end, some may get a GED, a Hi-Set, or a new job. It all comes at their own pace. 'There were times where I, I wasn't able to attain a job due to unforseen circumstances, and because of DTA and the programs that they do require for us, I was able to succeed, save money and become the person I did want to become,' Pathways To Work participant Crystal Ortiz said. The celebration recognized the participants who finished the program. One client ended up getting a job as a career coach through DTA. There was also a panel discussion, testimonies, and remarks from DTA leaders. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
