A drilling rig was set up in Maria Burns' front yard to address a leaking, defunct natural gas well that has been a problem for over a century. Chemicals such as benzene and arsenic from these leaks pose risks to human health and contaminate water sources. Moreover, escaping natural gas, primarily methane, contributes significantly to global warming. Millions of oil and gas wells exist in the U.S., many needing proper sealing, which is a complex and costly process. Improperly sealed wells can lead to ongoing issues, as evidenced by Burns' experience.
"The rig was there at Burns' request and the state of Ohio's expense to solve a problem that dates back more than a century."
"Leaks from defunct oil and gas wells are a problem for more than just plant life. The chemicals that leach up from deep underground can harm human health and leach into water reservoirs."
"Natural gas is almost entirely composed of methane, a greenhouse gas that's far more potent than carbon dioxide."
"Doing that properly is neither easy nor cheap. And if plugging isn't done properly, it might not last as Burns discovered."
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