The Ontario government is providing $2.5 million to Chatham-Kent to help cover costs associated with the 2021 gas explosion in downtown Wheatley.
Minister of Natural Resources Graydon Smith announced during a press conference in Blenheim on Friday that the funding will help pay for ongoing emergency management expenses incurred in the August 26, 2021 explosion, which destroyed two buildings and injured 20 people.
“We appreciate the financial and technical assistance provided to date and the province’s recognition of the need to provide further assistance. This will contribute to the healing of our community and protection of the environment,” said CK Mayor Darrin Canniff in a news release.
To date, the province has invested over $25 million to support the investigation, recovery, and monitoring activities in Wheatley, as well as the impacted businesses and residents.
The Ontario government has also announced an additional $23.6 million investment to develop a province-wide strategy for identifying and plugging old oil and gas wells.
“With this funding, Chatham-Kent and other affected municipalities will be able to help keep their communities safe and prevent petroleum-related emergencies in the future,” said Minister Smith.
The province says it will spend $7.5 million over three years to directly support municipalities in their efforts to reduce risks and enhance emergency preparedness within their communities. Another 1.1 million dollars over three years will increase funding for the existing Abandoned Works Program to support the plugging of old oil and gas wells.
Eligible municipalities will be invited to apply for the funding in the coming weeks.
According to government officials, there are approximately 27,000 oil and gas wells on record in the province, which are primarily on private land in southwestern Ontario.
