"This collaborative investigation produced by the Center for Public Integrity and the Los Angeles Times revealed that the 35,000 dry oil wells across California require a massive cleanup that state and federal governments are not prepared to clean up even as the wells continue to spew dangerous fumes throughout adjacent communities. The two-part series, supported by a months-long effort to gather data from multiple federal, state and local government agencies, revealed that even though oil well operators post bonds to finance cleanups, California needs $6 billion to clean up these wells in light of the fact that just $110 million is available. Extensive mapping and data aggregation helped create a rich accessible package. The series studied the state and also specifically devoted one piece to the challenge just faced by Los Angeles where nearly 1,000 dry wells are monitored by two inspectors. Among the risk posed by these wells sitting in dense neighborhoods are the leak of noxious fumes as well as the risk that at any point the wells could prompt potentially catastrophic blowouts and explosions. It is a rare urban problem for Los Angeles and one that in this investigation produced mechanisms for residents of the sprawling metropolis to learn whether they live near risky wells. Regulators forced one oil company to plug a well that was the subject of the series' reporting and public officials are pushing for more stringent regulations as a result of the series."

How do we do it?

The project generates reality-based estimates and analysis of oil and gas cleanup liabilities and develops strategies to enforce accountability and show investors the true risks to the environment and their financial portfolios.

The project also provides research to public interest researchers, regulators and journalists to support consequential accountability journalism that weakens the industry and ensures that polluters pay.

Through this process, the project aims to shine a light on the full extent to which the fossil fuel industry’s business fundamentals have deteriorated in order to dramatically accelerate investment in clean energy technologies.

• a systems approach

• through a de-centralized network

• not a public facing entity

• driving current investigative journalism, state and BLM regulatory rule making, and novel litigation

We Have Reached the White House

President Biden Quotes Our Work

July 28, 2021

Remarks by President Biden on the Importance of American Manufacturing:

“You may have heard that, in Washington — and I was just on the phone — it looks like we reached a bipartisan agreement on infrastructure — a fancy word for bridges, roads — (applause) — transit systems, high-speed Internet, clean drinking water, cleaning up and caffing [sic] — cappig the orphan wells, over thousands of them abandoned, …”

“And guess what? A lot of those abandoned wells are leaking methane. And guess what? The same union guys that dug those wells, they can make the same union wage capping those wells. (Applause.)”

“For example, towns in the southwestern part of this state can now apply for funds to cap those wells that are leaking methane, clean up abandoned coal mines, invest in bringing new employers into abandoned factories, and get help attracting them.”

So we continue to say . . . “watch this” to the naysayers and climate deniers.

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