Oklahoma oil & gas

Thousands of oil wells have been abandoned in Oklahoma over the years. KOSU's Anna Pope visited three sites in the Deep Fork Wildlife Refuge to see how the Well Done Foundation plugs orphan oil wells.

Although no federal permits for the wells are currently under review in Oklahoma, lawmakers are planning for the state to welcome the carbon sequestration industry.

Senate Bill 998 passed through the House on Tuesday with a 51 to 39 vote.

The Senate Energy Committee passed the proposed legislation in a Thursday meeting.

National energy data show the country is winding down coal generation and replacing it with renewables.

The state House of Representatives considered and passed at least 10 energy bills on March 26 and 27.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond joined the challenge last year against Democrat-led states that filed lawsuits against fossil fuel entities like BP, Exxon Mobil and the American Petroleum Institute.

Over the next four years, the Well Done Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife will plug more than 100 orphan wells on public land.

The state expected millions of dollars to plug wells abandoned by their owners. But the funds are in limbo under a new federal administration.

Executive orders issued by President Donald Trump within hours of his inauguration indicate plans to expand fossil fuel production and lift regulations on producers.