Several plugged wells in Texas have failed in recent years, endangering those who unknowingly settled nearby.
In Texas, neighborhoods are springing up near legacy oil wells — and while “plugged wells are usually safe, but several in Texas have failed catastrophically in recent years,” Martha Pskowski writes for Inside Climate News. For nearby residents, the leaking methane means a faint smell of rotting eggs, headaches, nausea and the constant risk of triggering an explosion.
“Prospective homebuyers rarely know about old oil and gas wells before they buy property. Texas has no statewide laws regulating construction around plugged oil and gas wells. Real estate developers are not required to disclose legacy wells to potential buyers. This means that many people unknowingly end up living near plugged or orphan wells that could present future liabilities,” Inside Climate News reports.
Leaking oil and gas wells are not a problem limited to Texas, either. Wells ranging from Southern California to Canada have caused fires, explosions and health issues for nearby residents.
Read the full story: Abandoned Oil Well Spreads Toxic Fumes, Dread Across San Antonio Subdivision
Nearly a third of US housing is in the wildland-urban interface — and at growing risk of wildfire
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80% of California homes built between 2020-2022 are in high fire risk areas
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Wildfires have burned 2.3 million acres this year — before wildfire season
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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Will urban sprawl save California?
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Texas suburbs are popping up around old oil wells. Some are starting to leak
Several plugged wells in Texas have failed in recent years, endangering those who unknowingly settled nearby.
This Chicago neighborhood is using planning to increase life expectancy
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
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Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
County of Mendocino
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
The Pocatello Development Authority