Formula Grants

The IIJA appropriates $2 billion to fund Formula Grants under the Orphaned Wells Program. Formula grants are available for various activities when the surface is owned by the state or by a private party, including, potentially, individually owned Indian properties that are held in trust by the Secretary of the Interior but fall under the state definition of ‘orphaned wells on private land’ for purposes of compliance with this section only. Funds may not be used for activities where the surface is owned by the United States or by an Indian Tribe but may be used for federal wells where the surface is owned by the state or by a private party and appropriate agreements are in place with the federal mineral manager, which has determined the well to be orphaned.

Resources

• Phase 2 State Formula Grant Guidance 08.14.2024 [pdf]
• Methane Reduction Tracking
• Phase 1 State Formula Grant Guidance 07 07 2023 [pdf]
  
  
  • FAQ – Formula Grants 07 07 2023 [pdf]
  • FAQ – 2024 Formula and Matching Grants
• Data Reporting Template With Definitions [xlsx]
• Draft State Formula Guidance 2023123 EOP Final For EOP Approval [pdf]
  
  
  • The period for the public to comment on the state formula grant draft guidance has been extended from February 24, 2023 until March 24, 2023. 
  • On Thursday, March 2, at 1:00 a.m. EST, the Department of the Interior hosted an online public roundtable-style webinar on the draft formula grant guidance. During the webinar, the Department provided an overview of the draft guidance and listened to comments offered by members of the public. Review the 3 2 23 Draft Formula Grant Guidance Public Webinar Slides Final [pdf] or the recorded webinar.