The Department of the Interior today released draft guidance on how states can apply for up to $40 million each in Regulatory Improvement Grant funding available under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create jobs and clean up polluting and unsafe orphaned oil and gas wells across the country. Under the draft guidance, states are eligible to receive a Plugging Standards regulatory improvement grant of up to $20 million, and a Program Improvement regulatory improvement grant of up to $20 million, for a total of $40 million per state. By incentivizing states to improve their standards, procedures and orphaned well programs, these grants will help better protect the environment and help prevent the creation of new orphaned wells. Comments on the draft grant guidance can be submitted, via email, to orphanedwells@ios.doi.gov, by 11:59 PM PT on November 12, 2024. Comments will be instrumental in refining the program’s direction.