Of all the ways I could have celebrated my birthday this year, why did I focus on the Well Done Foundation and it’s critical work to cap leaking methane wells? I have three reasons.
3 Reasons Why It’s Important to
Cap Leaking Methane Wells
✅ Methane is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) for causing climate change. Capping a well stops the methane from that well as soon as the cap goes on!
✅ Methane is leaking out of over 2 million abandoned or “orphan” wells in the U.S. These wells were originally drilled to capture natural gas or oil. They were abandoned by the companies or wildcatters who drilled them. The total climate impact of all these wells is staggering!!
✅ Cutting methane emissions is the fastest opportunity we have to immediately slow the rate of global warming and climate change. That’s because we know exactly what to do, especially when it comes to capping leaking methane wells. We have the technology, we have the skills, and we know where the wells are. Plus, the number of “decision makers” involved is very small, which means the process well-by-well can happen more quickly. Transitioning an entire city to solar, for example, would take years and be fraught with political considerations. Capping a well can be done in a matter of a few months (if not weeks).
Here’s how the Well Done Foundation summarizes the benefits derived from capping the 21 leaking methane wells it’s already tackled.
The “only” obstacle to capping a well is the cost.
It costs anywhere upwards of $60,000 these days to cap a well, because the process requires expensive construction equipment, a multi-person crew, monitoring, cement, and land restoration around the well site.
That’s where my birthday campaign came in. I am helping to raise $30,000 to help cap the Martha Smith #1 well in Pennsylvania. We’re half-way to our goal. Can you pitch in?
Here’s the link for more information and to donate.
