The governor’s task force on hydraulic fracking met in April at Newman University. Representatives of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the Kansas Geological Survey, and the Oklahoma Geological Survey all provided input. The bottom line: seismic activity in northern Oklahoma and central Kansas has dramatically increased over the past four years. This increase appears to coincide with the increased use of horizontal hydraulic fracturing and the accompanying injection of fracking fluids into disposal wells.

While there is scientific consensus that disposal wells, particularly poorly sited or operated wells, may induce seismic activity, the jury is still out on whether the hydraulic fracturing process it’s self causes earthquakes. Part of the key to this determination is to increase the number and accuracy of seismic monitoring stations in Kansas. The House Energy and Environment Committee, on which I serve, recommended legislation which would provide the $250,000.00 necessary to operate an expanded network of stations. There are only two in Kansas, one of which provides unreliable data, and both of which are located far from the areas where earthquakes are occurring. In the final budget, $160,000 from emergency funds was allocated for this project.

With the cooperation of the United States Geological Survey, federally owned monitoring stations will be temporarily located in Kansas as a stop-gap measure, and close cooperation with the Oklahoma Geological Survey will continue. This will be of great help in better identifying the cause of earthquakes in Kansas, and will assist all of us in knowing whether fracking, disposal wells, nature, or other factors are the cause of the dramatic increase in earthquakes in Kansas.

I intend to be on the forefront of pressing for the funds required to properly monitor seismic activity in Kansas and act responsibly on the data we gather. To do less endangers not only the public safety, but also the oil and gas industry on which the state depends for good paying jobs and on which our country depends for domestic energy to meet our needs and protect our national security.