State Regulators Acknowledge Link Between Wastewater Injection Wells and Induced Seismicity

(Austin, TX – Sept. 28, 2015) The Ground Water Protection Council and Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (through a joint project known as StatesFirst) today released a guide for regulatory agencies to evaluate and develop strategies to mitigate and manage risks of injection induced seismicity and communicate with the public.

“The GWPC and IOGCC report should put to rest the idea that industry and state regulators deny wastewater injection can cause earthquakes,” said Scott Anderson, Senior Policy Director of EDF’s US Climate and Energy Program. “The report recognizes injection can be a contributing factor and provides objective, helpful advice on what can be done about this problem.”

• Scott Anderson, Senior Policy Director, US Climate and Energy Program, Environmental Defense Fund