RRC Chairman Wright Applauds Department of Interior’s Reforms to Federal Orphaned Well Plugging Program
July 17, 2025AUSTIN – Railroad Commission of Texas Chairman Jim Wright issued the following statement regarding the announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior to streamline and improve the federal Orphaned Wells State Formula Grant Program.
“Today’s announcement by the Department of the Interior is a win for common sense governance. As I wrote last November, the significant hurdles and bureaucracy inherent in the orphaned well plugging program under the Biden Administration resulted in increased plugging costs and significantly delayed well plugging. The revisions announced today will do much to streamline the program and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently to plug as many orphaned wells as possible.
“I appreciate the thoughtful work of the Trump Administration and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to cut through the red tape and allow the Railroad Commission to utilize its world-renowned well plugging expertise.”
A conservative businessman with over 35 years of experience in the energy industry, Jim Wright was elected as the 51st Texas Railroad Commissioner in November 2020. He and his wife, Sherry, live in Orange Grove and have five children. Read more about Commissioner Wright here.
About the Railroad Commission:
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including more than 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.