West Virginia and Diversified Energy Unveil Innovative Fund for Well Plugging

West Virginia and Diversified Energy have launched the innovative Mountain State Plugging Fund to ensure oil well retirement without taxpayer costs, marking a historic advancement in environmental stewardship.

• On October 16, 2025, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the Mountain State Plugging Fund in partnership with Diversified Energy to facilitate oil well retirement in West Virginia.
• The Mountain State Plugging Fund aims to provide financial assurance for the retirement of oil wells, alleviating the financial burden from taxpayers in the U.S. state of West Virginia.
• This initiative represents the first financial assurance fund of its kind in the nation, addressing environmental concerns associated with abandoned oil wells through collaboration between state government and Diversified Energy.