Somerset Township residents gathered on Prosser Road outside Finleyville on Wednesday afternoon to witness a milestone for Pennsylvania’s environmental protection effort. Jerome Bettis, owner and chief executive of M&A Resources, and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Jessica Shirley marked the successful capping of the 500th abandoned well since Governor Josh Shapiro took office in 2023.
Why the well mattered
The well, originally drilled in 1922, was discovered only last summer after a noticeable gas odor permeated the neighborhood. “You couldn’t see the well but you could smell the well,” said Adam Peltz, director and senior attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, who attended the ceremony.
Emergency response and community impact
When the leak was confirmed, the DEP activated an emergency contract with M&A Resources to plug the well safely. Bettis praised the workers involved, stating, “This work takes good people who show up every day, do the job right and care about the communities they serve.” The rapid response prevented further contamination of soil and groundwater, safeguarding local health.
Job creation and economic benefits
Both Bettis and Secretary Shirley emphasized the employment opportunities that arise from plugging orphaned wells. The state’s 2026‑27 budget includes a one‑time transfer of $19 million to the well‑plugging program, a fund designed to protect public health and generate good‑paying jobs for Pennsylvanians. “The DEP is plugging more wells than ever, getting faster and more efficient at it,” Shirley said, noting that new reports of abandoned wells arrive daily.
Scale of the challenge
Pennsylvania still faces an estimated 300,000 abandoned wells, many dating back to the first U.S. oil well in Titusville in 1859. The DEP has identified roughly 27,000 orphaned and abandoned wells and is prioritizing those that pose the greatest threat to health and the environment. While the 500th well marks a significant achievement, Shirley warned that the 600th well is “on the horizon” and that it is “not a matter of if, but when” these hazards will be addressed.
Looking ahead
The successful capping demonstrates how public‑private partnerships can tackle legacy environmental issues while fostering local employment. As the program expands, communities across the Commonwealth can expect continued investment in safety, health, and economic growth.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
