Friday, March 29, 2024

Ontario Taking Action to Address Risks Posed by Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells

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Province investing $26 million to help protect communities from petroleum related emergencies

To ensure the safety of communities, the government of Ontario is investing $23.6 million in the creation of a province-wide strategy that includes locating and plugging old oil and gas wells. The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will receive an additional $2.5 million to help with the costs of emergency management following the explosion in Wheatley in 2021.

“This venture addresses the most important phase in our administration’s activity intend to address the difficulties and dangers old oil and gas wells posture to networks across Ontario,” said Graydon Smith, Priest of Normal Assets and Ranger service. ” Chatham-Kent and other affected municipalities will be able to assist in maintaining community safety and preventing future emergencies related to petroleum with this funding.

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The $23.6 million will be put toward the creation of an oil and gas action plan to assist in mitigating the dangers posed by old wells and the study and investigation of these dangers. The funding consists of:

  • $7.5 million over three years to directly support municipalities in their efforts to reduce risks and enhance emergency preparedness within their communities. Eligible municipalities will be invited to apply for funding for these activities in the coming weeks.
  • Doubling of the existing Abandoned Works Program over three years to $6 million to support the plugging of old oil and gas wells.

The Municipality of Chatham-Kent will receive an additional $2.5 million in order to assist with the ongoing costs of emergency management resulting from the Wheatley explosion. Over $25 million has been invested by Ontario to support the recovery, monitoring, and investigation efforts in Chatham-Kent, as well as the eligible businesses and residents who were evacuated.

“We are proceeding to pay attention to our inhabitants and nearby pioneers to guarantee our administration’s arrangement tends to the necessities of networks across Ontario, including Chatham-Kent,” said Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington. ” This subsidizing will assist districts with tending to the dangers presented by old oil and gas wells and assist with protecting networks.”

Industry, municipalities, Indigenous partners, other key stakeholders, and the general public will continue to provide ongoing guidance for the provincial action plan.

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