State Representative Martin Causer says that bad data is hampering the effort to cap so-called “orphaned” wells in the state.
During a hearing by the Energy and Environmental Resources Committee, Causer pressed Department of Environmental Protection deputy secretary Kurt Klapkowski about the data the Department uses in making decisions about wells.
“Because you realize if there’s flawed data, you know everything we’re talking about here today can be off base because you have to be able to look at the data and you have to be able to trust the data. And right now, no one trusts that data.”
In conclusion, Causer said the committee needs more time to talk with the DEP to fully examine all the aspects of the state’s orphan and abandoned wells.
McKean County has the largest number of orphan and abandoned wells in the state.