Well Plugging methods

Added Delegate Eldridge as a co-sponsor to the bill.

Updated the bill description to explicitly define 'modern well' and 'non-modern well' and clarify the elimination of four-and-one-half inch casing requirements.

Corrected a numerical error in the text, changing 'two hundred 100 foot plug' to 'two hundred 200 foot plug' for cement plugs in coal beds.

Added new requirements for monitoring and documentation when plugging wells to ensure adequate cement fill within casing annuli.

Expanded exemptions allowing operators to leave uncemented production casing in place if it is perforated at specific depths to allow cement entry, rather than requiring full removal.

New subsections (d) and (e) establish a formal process for coal operators to request alternative plugging methods when standard procedures exceed costs, including cost determination by the secretary and escrow payment mechanisms.

Subsection (e) adds specific cleaning and replugging procedures for abandoned wells with no known responsible party, including depth requirements based on well total depth (200 feet for wells under 4,000 feet; 400 feet for wells 4,000 feet or deeper).

Subsection (g) creates exemptions from standard casing removal requirements when intermediate and freshwater casings are not cemented to the surface, allowing perforation and monitoring instead of complete removal.

Enhanced documentation requirements including down-hole logs, journals describing materials encountered, and maintenance of invoices and work orders for abandoned well operations.

New definition of 'modern well' as a well where all casing strings except production and conductor strings are cemented to the surface, distinguishing it from 'non-modern well' to determine casing removal requirements.

Formatting and structural changes from committee substitute to enrolled version, including addition of certification language, signature blocks, and effective date provisions.

New provision allowing any person to apply for orders to clean and replug previously plugged wells to permit safe coal mining, including objection procedures and hearing processes.