Couple in southern Ontario forced to close well that provides free natural gas

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http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091230/national/close_well_order

Couple in southern Ontario forced to close well that provides free natural gas

Wed Dec 30, 12:45 PM

By The Canadian Press

NEWBURY, Ont. - After more than 70 years of providing a free heating source for

families, a natural gas well in southern Ontario could be shut down.

Murray and his wife Marjorie live in Newbury, Ont., and have relied on

the heating source for decades.

The Ministry of Natural Resources wants the well, which has existed since 1931,

capped, and have ordered the retired couple in their 70s to close the well at a

cost of $30,000.

Murray says he was told three years ago that he needed a permit to operate the

well, but after he applied for it he received a notice to close the well.

He says government officials haven't given the couple a reason for wanting to

close the well.

The well, which was sold by a drilling company to farmers in the area,

originally had four families sharing the gas line, but recently only two houses

have been connected to the well.