Texas House Creates Subcommittee On Earthquakes

AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — The chairman of the Texas House Committee on Energy Resources has set up a team of lawmakers to investigate earthquakes in oil and gas regions.

Chairman Jim Keffer on Thursday named three Republicans and one Democrat to the "Subcommittee on Seismic Activity"

The legislative committee that drafts the laws that regulate the oil and gas industry joins the Texas Railroad Commission in examining why there has been a rash of small earthquakes in parts of the state where oil and gas drilling is high, or where companies drill disposal wells for contaminated water.

The town of Azle sits about 50 miles northwest of Dallas, and since November of 2013 has experienced some 30 earthquakes.

Denton Republican Myra Crownover will chair the subcommittee that will determine if there is a link between the earthquakes and oil and gas activity.

Oil and gas companies deny they are responsible for the temblors.

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