The Paris Independent
8
January 27, 2024
COMMUNITY NEWS Ontario Supporting Municipalities Facing Challenges with Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells
Will Bouma MPP Brant – The Ontario government is investing $105,000 to help protect the County of Brant from the challenges associated with old and inactive oil and gas wells. The funding will be used to purchase gas monitoring and health and safety equipment, and provide health and safety training to staff. “I am happy to be a part of a Government that prioritizes the health and safety of our communities”, said Brantford-Brant MPP Will Bouma. “The equipment and training that this funding will secure can go a long way to alleviate concerns that some legacy wells may have created in and around the County of Brant”. Ontario is investing $7.5 million over three years to help municipalities in their efforts to reduce risks associated with old oil and gas wells and enhance emergency preparedness within their communities. This funding is part of a $23.6 million investment the government is making to manage the risks posed by old oil and gas wells and subsurface gas migration hazards to help keep people and communities safe.
Province investing $7.5 million to help keep communities safe “We heard from municipalities •wells, primarily on private land in across Southern Ontario that they southwestern Ontario. need support in addressing the complex challenges related to the •The Ministry of Natural Resources use of petroleum resources in their and Forestry administers the communities”, said Graydon Smith, Abandoned Works Program, which Minister of Natural Resources and supports the plugging of inactive oil Forestry. “This investment will help and gas wells that are at heightened municipalities build capacity, risk to public safety or the increase their understanding of environment by providing financial risks, and begin to take specific assistance to eligible landowners. mitigating actions.” To date, the province has spent The government will continue to $29.5 million to plug 415 wells work collaboratively with and seek across Ontario. input from partners to ensure the funding program remains ADDITIONAL RESOURCES responsive to municipal needs in Ontario Taking Action to Address future years. Risks Posed by Abandoned Oil and Gas Wells QUICK FACTS Ontario Continuing Support for •Ontario has records for Wheatley approximately 27,000 oil and gas
