BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WV News) — Gov. Patrick Morrisey and Diversified Energy announced a first-of-its-kind partnership Thursday to address West Virginia’s thousands of orphaned and abandoned natural gas and oil wells.

The public-private collaboration, known as the Mountain State Plugging Fund, commits $70 million from Diversified Energy to the state over 20 years to ensure the company’s oil and natural gas wells are safely retired without cost to taxpayers.

“This is a triple winner,” Morrisey said. “This is going to strengthen our energy future, it’s going to protect our environment, and it’s going to create good, high-paying jobs for the Mountain State. And you know what? It doesn’t cost the taxpayers one penny.”

The partnership will require additional manpower at Diversified Energy’s Br

See Full Page