Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), enacted in August 2022, plays a pivotal role in addressing the environmental challenges posed by leaking natural gas wells in West Virginia through its Methane Emission Reduction Program (MERP). This legislation provides significant federal funding aimed at reducing methane emissions, through the permanent plugging of certain marginal conventional wells (MCWs).

West Virginia, with its extensive history of oil and gas extraction, has a large number of idle or low-producing wells that pose environmental and safety risks. The IRA allocates substantial resources to states like West Virginia to accelerate the plugging and reclamation of these wells. The funding is crucial for the OOG, enabling us to expand our well-plugging initiatives and engage specialized contractors.

By providing financial support and incentives, the IRA helps West Virginia significantly reduce methane emissions, safeguard groundwater quality, and restore land affected by marginal conventional wells.

You can learn more about the Inflation Reduction Act from the US. EPA.

Resources

• 2024 Public Meetings Press Release
• 2024 Public Meeting Video

Nominate a Well

We are looking for owners and operators to self-nominate MCWs for this program. Through the nomination, DEP will provide funding for a 3rd party well plugging contractor to permanently plug qualifying marginal conventional wells (MCWs).

To nominate your well(s), follow the link to the Administrator’s website for Nomination and complete the three following steps:

1. Download the Nomination Form and Definitions Pages
2. Fill out the Nomination Form as completely as possible
3. Upload the Nomination Form and fill out the contact information

The Nomination Window will be open from August 4, 2025 - September 29, 2025.

See Also

• North Wind Response & Reclamation Nomination Webpage

The Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, provides critical funding to help states like West Virginia cut harmful methane emissions from oil and gas operations. For West Virginia, this grant represents an opportunity to decommission aging infrastructure and support good-paying jobs while protecting communities and the environment. By leveraging MERP funding, WV aims to balance responsible energy production with long-term stewardship of its natural resources.

The Administrator for the WV MERP grant, in consultation with the WVDEP, will be hosting a series of outreach meetings in August 2025 to educate oil and gas well owners and operators about the program. The outreach meetings will begin with a presentation by the Administrator, followed by a Q&A session to answer any questions that may arise.