State lawmakers on Tuesday questioned regulators, academics and anti-fracking activists at a capitol hearing examining Oklahoma’s surge of earthquakes. The interim House study centered on oversight of injection wells, which scientists have linked to the quakes.
Lawmakers probed the state’s official seismologist and authorities from the Corporation Commission about gaps and delays in sharing and analyzing earthquake and injection well data. After a 4.3-magnitude quake struck near Cushing last month, an injection well was shut down after inspectors found violations of rules that could reduce risk factors for earthquakes.
Democratic Representative Cory Williams of Stillwater asked the agency’s Tim Baker why more wasn’t done, “Is there a fine or penalty associated for violating the permit?”
Baker said no, adding, “There is no law that prevents you from inducing seismicity.”
Lawmakers haven’t drafted legislation addressing earthquakes, and no new oil and gas regulations are being considered — yet. The Corporation Commission will soon start its rule-making process for the year, and the Legislature convenes in February.
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