The Ontario government has announced that Chatham-Kent is one of nine municipalities set to receive additional funding to better manage the risks posed by old oil and gas wells.
The province said it will invest $7.5 million over three years to enhance emergency preparedness within communities and prevent emergencies associated with abandoned wells.
During its first year, the program will provide a combined $2 million in funding to the nine municipalities to fund activities focused on improving emergency preparedness and risk prevention.
The funding was initially announced back in June 2023 as part of Ontario’s $23.6 million action plan to tackle the challenges related to legacy oil and gas wells.
In addition to Chatham-Kent, Lambton County, Oxford County, Brant County, Elgin County, Essex County, Haldimand County, and the Regional Municipality of Niagara were successful in applying for the first year of funding.
Chatham-Kent was previously given $11 million in August to help the community of Wheatley recover from a gas explosion in August 2021, which levelled two buildings, injured 20 people, and resulted in the evacuation of 67 households and 44 businesses.
According to the province’s records, there are approximately 27,000 oil and gas wells in southwestern Ontario. To date, 415 inactive wells have been plugged across Ontario.
