Shapiro Administration plugs 300 orphaned or abandoned wells across PA

Mar. 17—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week said plugging leaking abandoned wells reduces methane emissions, creates jobs, protects public health and opens up opportunities for rural communities.

Shapiro and Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) officials joined Penn Mechanical Group and local leaders in Washington County to plug the 300th orphaned or abandoned well under the Shapiro Administration.

The Shapiro Administration has surpassed the number of wells plugged in the previous decade in just two years — the latest historic milestone under Gov. Shapiro's leadership to protect public health and create jobs by aggressively plugging these wells all across Western Pennsylvania.

The 300th well was plugged in North Franklin Township, Washington County, under an emergency contract with Penn Mechanical Group, a family-owned and operated company located in Indiana, PA.

The well, which is leaking methane, sits between two reservoirs on the site of the township's future Waterside Park — an 89-acre park to connect residents to green spaces, outdoor recreation, environmental education and serve as a community hub.

"When I took office, I directed the Department of Environmental Protection to move aggressively to draw down state and federal funding to make a meaningful impact plugging orphaned and abandoned wells," Shapiro said. "By plugging orphaned and abandoned wells, we're tackling a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and creating thousands of good-paying jobs in the process. This is a smart, commonsense way to protect public health and create jobs — and I'm going to continue to work with DEP to put state and federal funding to good use by plugging these wells that create problems across rural Pennsylvania."

Jessica Shirley, DEP acting secretary, said these wells dot the Pennsylvania landscape, posing hazards for residents and the environment and hampering all manner of development.

"By maximizing every funding source available to DEP through state funding and federal programs like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we can ensure that Pennsylvania's inventory of orphaned and abandoned wells continues to shrink, while creating jobs and protecting the environment in the process," Shirley said.

DEP has identified more than 27,000 orphan and abandoned wells and is prioritizing those posing the highest risks. New plugging contracts will focus on these high-priority wells, along with nearby wells, to maximize efficiency and preempt environmental threats.

Sen. Fetterman 'rejects chaos' — votes to prevent government shutdown

By a vote of 54-46, the United States Senate this week passed H.R. 1968 — The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act for Fiscal Year 2025 — along party lines.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman. D-Braddock, voted to invoke cloture — meeting the 60 votes necessary to end debate on the Continuing Resolution (CR) and move to final passage.

Sen. Fetterman released the following statement in response:

"My YES vote on cloture IS NOT an endorsement of this deeply flawed CR.

"My YES vote on cloture IS 100% about refusing to shut our government down.

"I refuse to punish working families and plunge millions of Americans into chaos or risk a recession.

"I will never, ever, ever, ever, ever vote to shut our government down."

Sen. Fetterman joined 9 Democratic colleagues in supporting the cloture motion, which broke the filibuster to proceed to final passage and prevent a government shutdown.

He voted against the final passage of the CR.

Sen. Mastriano introduces the Creation of Law in Our Schools Act

To restore historical knowledge, promote civic responsibility and preserve our heritage, Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-33, this week said he introduced the Creation of Law in Our Schools Act.

Mastriano's legislation would require the display of four foundational documents in Pennsylvania's public schools:

—The Ten Commandments — the first known codification of law in human history.

—The Declaration of Independence — the defining statement of American liberty.

—The Pennsylvania Constitution — the cornerstone of our laws and freedoms.

—The U.S. Constitution — the supreme law of our nation.

Mastriano said a recent survey found that only 47% of Americans can name all three branches of government, and one in five cannot name one.

"A nation that does not know its history is doomed to lose its identity," Mastriano said. "By ensuring that our students see and engage with these bedrock documents, we will instill in them a greater appreciation of law, responsibility and the sacrifices made to build this great nation."

Mastriano said many states have passed legislation requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in schools.

"With the passage of my bill, Pennsylvania would take a unique and comprehensive approach by ensuring that students engage with all four foundational documents that shaped our commonwealth and our nation," Mastriano said. "This is not just about teaching history — it is about preserving the very principles that make America great."

Mastriano said the bill aims to ensure that every student in Pennsylvania grows up understanding the laws, rights and freedoms that define us as Americans.

PennDOT expands access to REAL ID with special 'REAL ID Days' across Pennsylvania

With only a few months left until the May 7, federal enforcement deadline, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) this week announced a series of upcoming REAL ID Days events throughout the commonwealth to give residents additional opportunities to get a REAL ID.

The events so far have been popular with residents, with more than 4,000 people being assisted at previous REAL ID Days events.

"PennDOT is committed to making it as convenient as possible for Pennsylvanians to obtain a REAL ID if they want one," said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. "Because we're seeing an increase in demand, we decided to offer our REAL ID Days as a way to ensure we are meeting the needs of the public and providing them with the best possible customer service."

The March 17, REAL ID Days will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at several centers, including:

—Wilkes-Barre Driver License Center, 1085 Hanover St., Wilkes Barre.

During these events, centers will be exclusively processing REAL IDs to help Pennsylvanians obtain a REAL ID before the enforcement deadline. For a complete list of REAL ID Days events, visit PennDOT's website.

REAL ID Days are held on Mondays when the centers are typically closed. The centers will still be open during their normal hours and people can also get a REAL ID or conduct other driver license business during that time.

Although a REAL ID-compliant product may be needed for federally acceptable identification beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians can apply for a REAL ID at any time — before, on or after the enforcement date — depending on their situation. REAL ID products will remain a permanent part of PennDOT's driver and photo services. If you're not sure whether a REAL ID is right for you, our REAL ID online wizard may be able to help.

More than 2.5 million Pennsylvanians have chosen to opt into the REAL ID program. Getting a REAL ID is optional in Pennsylvania, but beginning May 7, Pennsylvanians will need a REAL ID-compliant license/identification card or another form of federally acceptable identification (such as a valid passport or military ID) to:

—Board domestic commercial flights.

—Enter a military base.

—Enter certain federal facilities that require a federally acceptable form of ID.

Federal REAL ID regulations require that PennDOT must verify the below documents:

Information about REAL ID document requirements can be found on PennDOT's REAL ID website at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/driver-services/real-id/real-id-document-check.html.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.