Sustainability Now! | Amy Townsend-Small | Abandoned Oil + Gas Wells | Sept. 5, 2022

On this week’s show, your host, Justin Mog, grabs his college rock hammer for an in-depth conversation with environmental scientist, Dr. Amy Townsend-Small, associate professor of environmental science in the University of Cincinnati's College of Arts and Sciences. Amy has spent years studying abandoned or idled oil and gas wells across the country. Her geology research is helping policymakers understand the scope of the problem and the implications for the environment and public health and safety. In a study of idled or abandoned wells in Texas, she found they could be leaking millions of kilograms of methane each year.

This is a very timely conversation in light of the recent news that Kentucky is going to invest $25M to cap leaking oil and gas wells. The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded the funds to Kentucky as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Kentucky has a disproportionate number of derelict oil and gas wells.

Follow Amy at https://twitter.com/ATownsendSmall
She recommends the PBS Frontline documentary Plastic Wars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dk3NOEgX7o

As always, our feature is followed by your community action calendar for the week, so get your calendars out and get ready to take action for sustainability NOW!

Sustainability Now! is hosted by Dr. Justin Mog and airs on Forward Radio, 106.5fm, WFMP-LP Louisville, every Monday at 6pm and repeats Tuesdays at 12am and 10am. Find us at http://forwardradio.org

The music in this podcast is courtesy of the local band Appalatin and is used by permission. Explore their delightful music at http://appalatin.com