MNR minister announces funding to deal with old oil and gas wells

Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris was in Essex June 9, where he announced an additional $7.8 million to help landowners and municipalities deal with old oil and gas wells found on the properties. Members of Essex County council were on hand as were area fire officials.

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has announced more funding to help the region deal with old oil and gas wells that are still in the area.

Minister of Natural Resources Mike Harris was at the Essex County Civic Centre last Tuesday afternoon announcing that the Ontario government is investing an additional $7.8 million so communities, including Amherstburg, can deal with old oil and gas wells that could be found on properties. 

Over $1.2 million has already been used in Essex County.

The provincial government says the increased funding of $7.8 million brings this year’s total investment to $10.8 million “to help municipalities safely plug more wells and strengthen local emergency preparedness and response efforts.”

Of the more than $1.2 million that has been received in this region, it has been used over the past three years under the Municipal Legacy Wells Transfer Payment Program to purchase communication, decontamination and gas detection equipment, conduct health, safety and emergency management training for staff, develop public awareness and education materials and update emergency response plans. Mapping of where currently known and where future wells are found is also anticipated.

“Our government is taking action to deal with old oil and gas wells before they become a problem,” said Harris. “This investment will provide landowners and local leaders with the tools they need to protect their communities, support local jobs and give families greater peace of mind.”

Harris said there are approximately 27,000 old oil and gas wells that are known of in the province, but cautioned there are countless more that have not yet been discovered or are officially unaccounted for.

“Most of them are 100-years-old,” said Harris.

The Ontario government states the $10.8 million investment includes $6 million for the Abandoned Works Program to safely plug more wells; $3 million for the Municipal Legacy Wells Transfer Payment Program, enabling municipalities to purchase specialized equipment, deliver critical training programs and enhance emergency response to keep communities safe; and $1.8 million for science and research to better understand and mitigate risks posed by oil and gas wells.

Essex MPP Anthony Leardi praised his colleague for his work on the matter and for helping to provide funds for Essex County and Chatham-Kent. Leardi said Harris has mastered the duties of his ministry and knows the issues communities face.

A working group at the county level has been meeting and planning regarding the matter of old oil and gas wells and they were part of a two-day symposium on the issue that Harris was a part of. 

Warden Hilda MacDonald thanked the Ontario government for this investment in the county as well as past investments and commitments, the latter including the regional mega-hospital, the NextStar Battery plant and the expansion of Highway 3.

“This shows the impact of regional collaboration,” said MacDonald, of the most recent announcement. “No single municipality can tackle it all.”

County CAO Sandra Zwiers noted the partners were brought together to deal with the issue, adding the county also held an emergency exercise of a mock disaster dealing with a former well.

Amherstburg fire chief Michael Mio also offered thanks to the province and noted the working relationship between the county and each municipality’s fire departments.

“Collaboration is critical,” said Mio.

Mio said there are about 20 wells known to be in Amherstburg and “hundreds” more across Essex County. 

The Amherstburg fire chief added that local fire departments would handle the call if a well is discovered on private property but the county has resources and equipment that could be tapped into to help cap the well and deal with the matter.

“Our government is committed to protecting Ontario by reducing risks before they become emergencies,” Jill Dunlop, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response, said in a press release. “By investing in safe management of legacy oil and gas wells, we are strengthening local preparedness and equipping municipalities with tools they need to respond quickly and effectively – helping keep communities safe today and into the future.”

MNR minister announces funding to deal with old oil and gas wells

By Ron Giofu