The Kansas Corporation Commission on Oct. 23 adopted a permanent regulation, KAR 82-3-144, that creates a process for people who plug abandoned oil and gas wells to apply for reimbursement from the Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Fund. The commission filed the regulation for adoption after a public hearing and a 3-0 roll call vote.

The regulation implements statutory direction in KSA 55-1-80(f)(1) by requiring an applicant to submit a plugging reimbursement application with an estimate of total plugging costs, receive approval from the Conservation Division director, complete the plugging in accordance with commission rules, and then submit a post-plugging certification of completion with invoices to request reimbursement. Tristan Kimbrell, appearing on behalf of staff, told the commission that the Kansas Rules and Regulations Filing Act’s minimum 60-day public comment period was met and that notice was published in the Kansas Register on Aug. 14, 2025.

Kimbrell said the regulation sets procedural steps — application, director review, plugging under KCC rules, and a certification with invoices — and that “this proposed regulation is expected to have de minimis implementation and compliance costs for individuals and businesses.” The regulation also requires that a person who receives director approval and completes plugging within six months may be reimbursed from the Abandoned Oil and Gas Well Fund upon submission of the post-plugging certification and invoices.

Ryan Hoffman, director of the commission’s Conservation Division, described a multi-year vetting process that led to the regulation. “The vetting process with regard to this regulation probably goes back almost six years,” Hoffman said, saying staff worked with industry groups CIOGA and ECOGA on multiple drafts and that the rulemaking overlapped implementation of a federal plugging grant. Hoffman noted the enabling statute was enacted in 2021 after an earlier 2020 proposal.

Commissioners praised the deliberative process and said the regulation is intended to give landowners another route to get wells plugged while protecting the state’s fund and ensuring licensed contractors perform the work. Commissioner Dwight D. Keane called the approach “pioneering” and said other states had expressed interest after Kansas announced the program. Chair Andrew J. French and Commissioner Annie Keither also spoke in support of the process and staff work.

No written public comments were filed during the published comment period, and no members of the public registered to speak at the hearing, staff told the commission. After a short pause while a commissioner rejoined the virtual meeting, the commission took a roll call vote: Chair Andrew J. French — yes; Commissioner Dwight D. Keane — yes; Commissioner Annie Keither — yes. The commission certified adoption of KAR 82-3-144 and closed the public hearing.

Votes at a glance: the commission approved a consent agenda of 10 items by voice vote earlier in the meeting and later approved and filed for adoption KAR 82-3-144 by roll call, 3-0.

The commission adjourned after completing the items on the business meeting agenda.