(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

Abandoned oil and gas wells have been a problem in West Virginia for more than a century. Lawmakers did the right thing during the most recent regular session by passing House Bill 3336, which allows operators to fill wells with cement without having to remove the central casing.

That might not mean much to a lot of us, but the process is said to be easier, cheaper and safer. It could also help protect groundwater, and with staying on top of modern efforts.

“It gives accounting for the casings that are put in,” said Del. Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock, “the double casings that are put in through freshwater. And that really caught my eye, because going forward, that’s going to become important when we start to eliminate some of the wells that are out of production.”

Zatezalo, a hydrogeologist, believed the measure is important as we look to defend our many resources.

“You go 200 feet below (the Ohio) River and drill down to that level, you’ll be in saltwater,” Zatezalo said. “And that saltwater is there for another 5,800 feet until you hit the Marcellus Shale. You have to protect what’s above that.”

As part of his tour of ceremonial signings, Gov. Patrick Morrisey visited the Northern Panhandle for HB 3336.

“Here, today, we can say we’re cutting red tape and we’re moving the state forward,” he said. “We have more well plugging going on, a safer process, it’s less expensive and with less red tape. That’s a pretty darn good combination.”

It is. And, again, those who have dedicated themselves to improving quality of life in West Virginia by getting government out of our way in cases such as these are to be commended.

The trick now, is for operators to take advantage of it.