OKMULGEE, Okla. – Renewable energy, orphaned wells, and environmental stewardship were the key topics of discussion at the Business to Business Case for Sustainability Series. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Office of Environmental Services hosted the event at the River Spirit Casino on May 29. The department is a member of the Sustainability Alliance, a 501(c) non profit organization based in the Tulsa area that promotes networking and advocates for renewable energy. Employees from the MCN OES were featured on the panel and discussed environmental issues on the reservation, particularly orphaned wells.
The panel was composed of Hamm Institute for American Energy Executive Director Dr. Ann Pullin, Ph.D., NextEra Energy Resources Director Nico Ciccone, and MCN OES Environmental Specialist IIs Trent Luellen (Mvskoke) and Tiger Carmen (Mvskoke). ONEOK Vice President of Government Relations Mike Teague moderated the panel.
MCN Second Chief and former OES Director Del Beaver provided opening remarks, stating that the annual panel is one that is near to his heart.
“Events like this, it transcends who we are,” Chief Beaver said. “I got into the environmental field because I wanted to have a bigger purpose. It was about fulfillment, it was about doing something I loved. When I went home at the end of the day, I knew I was trying to make a difference.”
James Williams, MCN OES director, explained that the panel is an opportunity for the Nation and local businesses to discuss ideas to see if there are more efficient ways to be stewards of the environment.
“It’s time for us to share ideas about energy and the future,” Williams said. “Where’s it going? What’s going to happen? All the big buzz is the wind energy, or transmission lines, Solar, just different things. These (Sustainability Alliance members) are leaders in the different energy sectors that come together.”
According to Williams, several departments within the tribe would benefit from alternative energy sources like solar energy including theCollege of Muscogee Nation, MCN Health, and MCN Food Distribution. In addition to offsetting energy costs, it can also act as a backup energy source when the power goes offline.
Orphaned Wells
Orphaned wells have become an environmental issue on the MCN Reservation. They are defined as orphaned, or abandoned once the operator has passed away or can not be located. Luellen and Carman work for the Federal Orphaned Well Program. This year marked the first time both specialists appeared on a panel. Their role was to spread awareness on the issue of orphaned wells on the Mvskoke Reservation.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, orphaned wells pose significant environmental dangers including the risk of groundwater contamination, methane emissions, air pollution and the potential for sinkholes. Plugging the wells minimizes environmental harm and enhances public safety.
“In the Orphaned Well Program we are working to identify the orphaned wells on our Creek Nation properties, then the second phase is to decommission, plug and remediate the land.” Luellen said.
According to Luellen, decommissioning orphaned wells does not have a one-size-fits-all solution. Orphaned wells have been around since the early 1900s, while many still have pump jacks on top of them others do not, making them hard to locate. Capping wells is an expensive solution as well, ranging in costs from $50,000 to $100,000.
For property owners who suspect they may have an orphaned well on their property, Luellen recommended using the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Well Data Finder found on their website. By typing in an address in the search bar, owners can find place markers where wells, whether dry, oil, or gas, were plotted. According to Luellen, there are 2.5 million documented orphaned wells located in the United States. Approximately 20,000 are in Oklahoma, and of those approximately 6,000 on the Mvskoke Reservation.
Orphaned wells affect more than just property owners, it affects everyone in the environment. Carman’s advice for those who discover a well on their property is to stay away from it and report it.
“We have so many orphaned wells, it’s affecting our groundwater, it’s affecting our soil, it’s affecting our air, it’s affecting our communities, it’s degrading our property values. We’re trying to take small steps to get our reservation cleaned up.” Carman said. “These wells are very dangerous. If you ever identify one, keep everything and everyone you know away from it.”
To learn more about the Sustainability Alliance and upcoming events, visit their website.
Great job on this post! I truly appreciate the effort and insights you’ve shared here—keep up the amazing work!
I have concerns about the push for windmills and solar power as part of our environmental strategy. While renewable energy has its place, these technologies may not be the best fit for our reservation. Windmills and solar farms require large amounts of land, which could disrupt agricultural practices, housing needs, and sacred sites. They can also have unintended environmental impacts, such as harming local wildlife and ecosystems. Economically, the costs of installation and maintenance might outweigh the benefits, especially if the energy produced doesn’t directly serve our community’s needs. Culturally, these structures could alter the landscape in ways that conflict with our traditions and spiritual connections to the land.