Seth B.C. ShonkoffExecutive Director
Visiting Scholar, Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management, University of California, Berkeley
On October 21, 2020, PSE’s Executive Director Dr. Seth Shonkoff participated in a virtual workshop Analyzing the Challenges of Improperly Abandoned and Orphaned Wells. Hosted by the AAAS Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (EPI Center) as part of their initiative on hydraulic fracturing, the event brought together scientific researchers, industry, state regulators, and community advocates to identify the most pressing concerns related to orphaned and improperly abandoned oil and natural gas wells.
Dr. Shonkoff presented on the public health hazards and risks of impacts of abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells. Other topics covered in the workshop included methane emissions, proper well plugging and abandonment practices, financial considerations, regulatory and bonding reform, and areas requiring additional research.
Workshop Summary