"With Abandoned Gas Wells, States Are Left With The Cleanup Bill"

"When energy booms go bust, the public is often left responsible for the cleanup. That's because while most states and the federal government make companies put up at least some money in advance to pay for any mess they leave behind, it's often not enough.

After the methane industry collapse, there were almost 4,000 wells in Wyoming that the company responsible walked away from. Now, the state has to pay the price.

Driving around the Powder River Basin in northeast Wyoming with Jeff Campbell and Jeff Gillum, both of whom work for the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, is like playing an extended game of 'Where's Waldo?'"

Stephanie Joyce reports for NPR's All Things Considered October 19, 2015.

Source: NPR, 10/20/2015