Defunct oil/gas wells and abandoned mines have long been lore-of-the-ore backstories in literally and figuratively shaping much of the landscape across the United States but, until recently, there was no comprehensive plan to plug these often hazardous sites. In fact, listing oil/gas wells and mines without liable owners was arduous because many pre-date environmental regulations,…

Defunct oil/gas wells and abandoned mines have long been lore-of-the-ore backstories in literally and figuratively shaping much of the United States’ landscape because, until recently, there was no comprehensive plan to plug these often hazardous sites. In fact, listing oil/gas wells and mines without liable owners was arduous, because many pre-date environmental regulations have no records…