PUBLIC NOTICE: Legislative Response to WVDEP Oil and Gas Budget/Layoffs

David McMahon describes the abandon oil & gas well problem in WV

Media Advisory of Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition on February 2, 2021
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PUBLIC BRIEFING ON LAYOFFS AT WV DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SET FOR THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4th AT 3:00 PM VIA ZOOM

Contacts: Dave McMahon, West Virginia Surface Owners Rights Orginization (WVSORO) & Dustin White, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC)

What: In summer 2020, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) Office of Oil and Gas cut its staff from 40 to 25 positions due to recurring budget shortfalls. As a result, there is now only one inspector per every 5000 gas wells. Currently, the Office is funded solely through one-time fees on new permit applications. This funding structure is not only inconsistent with other WVDEP Offices, it is also insufficient for sustaining the office’s responsibility for monitoring and regulating all actions related to the exploration, drilling, storage and production of oil and natural gas. We urge the West Virginia Legislature to immediately act on this issue.

When: Thursday, February 4, at 3:00 p.m.

Where: Online via Zoom Conference

Who: Members of the media are invited to join a virtual press conference facilitated by Angie Rosser, Executive Director of West Virginia Rivers Coalition, featuring statements from elected officials, as well as representatives of private property owners and environmental advocates in West Virginia:

>> Dave McMahon, J.D., Co-Founder, W.Va. Surface Owners’ Rights Organization (WVSORO)
>> Dustin White, Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
>> Delegate Evan Hansen (D – Monongalia, 51)
>> State Senator William J. Ihlenfeld II (D – Ohio, 01)

Why: The recurring budget shortfalls for the Office of Oil and Gas affects owners of property on which over 60,000 oil and gas wells are located. This problem needs to be addressed during the upcoming Legislative session.