According to The Associated Press (via the Anchorage Daily News), a new, nearly unanimous joint resolution from the Alaska House of Representatives calls on the federal government to properly plug and reclaim the sites of so-called legacy wells in National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

According to documents associated with the resolution, HJR29, the federal government drilled nearly 140 wells in NPR-A between 1944 and 1981.

The resolution says that only seven of the abandoned wells have been properly plugged and reclaimed, and that others are out of compliance with state regulations, posing a threat to the environment. Furthermore, it says that still others can't even be located.

The wells are overseen by the federal Bureau of Land Management, but the resolution says the state lacks the power to fine the federal government for lack of compliance.

Cathy Foerster, a commissioner with the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, frustratedly pointed out the hypocrisy of the federal government in wanting to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while leaving unfinished business in NPR-A.

The AP reports:

BLM-Alaska Deputy State Director Ted Murphy testified that the agency in Alaska gets just $1 million for legacy wells. He and Cathy Foerster, a commissioner with the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said collaboration is important to moving ahead.

Read more here: http://www.adn.com/2012/02/09/2308388/house-resolution-aims-anger-at.html#storylink=cpy#storylink=cpy