Chatham-Kent is getting a boost from the province to help mitigate the fallout from the Wheatley explosion.
Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Graydon Smith came to Blenheim Friday to announce the municipality will receive an additional $2.5 million to help with emergency management costs associated with the blast.
The explosion, sourced to an abandoned gas well, rocked the town in August 2021, destroying buildings and injuring 20. The subsequent evacuation led to the displacement of many residents and business owners for months, and a hefty emergency services price tag.
Smith also used the platform to unveil a $23.6-million plan to develop a province-wide strategy to identify and plug old gas wells that may be dangerous.
“This investment represents the first step in our government’s action plan to address the challenges and risks old oil and gas wells pose to communities across Ontario,” Smith told the gathering.
“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.”
Ontario has records for some 27,000 oil and gas wells, primarily located on private land. According to the MNRF, the administrators for the abandoned well program, the province has spent $29.5 million to plug 415 wells.
Gray said the $23.6 million will be used to develop an action plan, using science and research.
In a media release, Mayor Darrin Canniff thanked the government for its commitment.
“We appreciate the financial and technical assistance provided to date and the province’s recognition of the need to provide further assistance,” Canniff said. “This will contribute to the healing of our community and protection of the environment.”
