The Sierra Club has filed a federal lawsuit against three Oklahoma energy companies, reports StateImpact Oklahoma.The lawsuit accuses the companies of operating wastewater injection wells that contributed to the massive spike in earthquakes in the state. The three oil companies facing the accusations are Chesapeake Energy, Devon Energy and New Dominion.
The environmental protection group wants the companies to cut back production at their injection wells. The suit also hopes to compel the companies to reinforce vulnerable buildings in the state that might be damaged by the quakes.
There have been several lawsuits at the state level concerning the quakes. But this is the first action filed in federal court. Scientists have insisted that Oklahoma’s rapid rise in earthquakes is due to the industry practice of pumping oil and gas waste fluid into underground disposal wells.