118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4877 
AN ACT 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the 
Secretary of Energy to carry out a research, develop-
ment, and demonstration program with respect to aban-
doned wells, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Abandoned Well Reme-
diation Research and Development Act’’. 
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Energy Policy Act of 2005 
is amended— 
(1) by adding at the end of subtitle F of title 
IX (42 U.S.C. 16291 et seq.) the following new sec-
tion: 
‘‘SEC. 969E. ABANDONED WELLS RESEARCH, DEVELOP-
MENT, AND DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Sec-
retary of Energy shall, in coordination with relevant Fed-
eral and state agencies and entities, establish a research, 
development, and demonstration program to improve— 
‘‘(1) data collection on the location of aban-
doned wells; 
‘‘(2) the plugging, remediation, reclamation, 
and repurposing of abandoned wells; and 
‘‘(3) strategies to mitigate potential environ-
mental impacts of documented and undocumented 
abandoned wells. 
‘‘(b) ACTIVITIES.—The research, development, and 
demonstration under subsection (a) shall include activities 
to improve—
‘‘(1) remote sensor capabilities, LiDAR capa-
bilities, optical gas imaging, magnetic survey tech-
nology, and any other technologies relevant to the ef-
ficient identification of abandoned wells; 
‘‘(2) understanding of how certain parameters 
of abandoned wells affect methane emission rates of 
such wells, including parameters such as well age, 
well depth, geology, construction, case material, and 
geographic region; 
‘‘(3) the efficiency and cost-efficacy of processes 
for 
plugging, 
remediating, 
reclaiming, 
and 
repurposing abandoned wells, including— 
‘‘(A) improvement of processes and tech-
nologies for the unique challenges associated 
with plugging remote abandoned wells; 
‘‘(B) use of low carbon, lightweight cement 
or use of alternative materials and additives for 
plugging purposes; and 
‘‘(C) repurposing of abandoned wells for 
alternative uses, including geothermal power 
production or carbon capture, utilization, and 
storage; and 
‘‘(4) understanding of the impacts of aban-
doned wells on groundwater quality and contamina-
tion.
‘‘(c) COORDINATION.—In carrying out the program 
established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall en-
sure coordination of these activities with State and local 
governments, institutions of higher education, the Depart-
ment of Energy National Laboratories, the private sector, 
and impacted communities, including landowners within 
such communities. 
‘‘(d) ABANDONED WELL DEFINED.—In this section, 
the term ‘abandoned well’ means a well originally drilled 
in connection with oil and gas operations that is not being 
used, has not been plugged, and has no anticipated use 
in oil and gas operations. 
‘‘(e) FUNDING.—There is authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary to carry out this section amounts 
authorized pursuant to section 10771 of subtitle O of title 
VI of the Research and Development, Competition, and 
Innovation Act (enacted as division B of Public Law 117– 
167), as follows: 
‘‘(1) For fiscal year 2024, $30,000,000. 
‘‘(2) For fiscal year 2025, $31,250,000. 
‘‘(3) For fiscal year 2026, $32,500,000. 
‘‘(4) For fiscal year 2027, $33,750,000. 
‘‘(5) For fiscal year 2028, $35,000,000. 
‘‘(f) SUNSET.—This section shall terminate five years 
after the date of the enactment of this section.’’; and
Policy Act of 2005, in accordance with such 
section.’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives April 30, 2024. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4877 
AN ACT 
To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct 
the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research, 
development, and demonstration program with 
respect to abandoned wells, and for other pur-
poses.