Part 3/12:
Research indicates roughly 14 million Americans live within 1.6 kilometers of documented orphaned wells, facing risks of explosions, fires, and exposure to harmful gases. In New Mexico alone, over 1,700 documented orphaned wells exist, with experts estimating that the total number—including undocumented ones—could surpass one million across the country. The environmental threats extend beyond human health, impacting ecosystems and contributing significantly to climate change.