Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has approved the transfer of well over a million dollars from the state emergency fund to strengthen Oklahoma’s earthquake response. The money will go toward researching the state’s recent earthquake surge, and toward regulating the oil and gas activity that’s likely causing it.
For years, information about faults and formations has been incomplete, reports member station KGOU. Data from the operators of disposal wells has also proven inconsistent. $1 million of the money will go to the Oklahoma Geological Survey. These funds will help expand and enhance the state’s web of earthquake sensors. Another $400,000 will go to upgrading computer systems used to collect and analyze oil-field and earthquake data.
The additional funds come after lawmakers promised to take on the earthquake issue during the upcoming 2016 legislative session.