Rep. Schiff Secures Additional $5 million for a Second Year in a Row To Continue Building Out Earthquake Early Warning System

Press Release

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) announced that the Appropriations Committee has once again included $5 million in funding in the Fiscal Year 2016 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill for a west coast earthquake early warning system. Last year, for the first time, Congress appropriated $5 million specifically for the system. This continued funding during a time of severe budget constraints demonstrates the importance of the system and Congress's commitment to seeing the system fully built out.

Earlier this year, Schiff led a group of 35 Members of Congress -- primarily from California, Washington, and Oregon -- to request that the committee fund an earthquake early warning system for theWest Coast. A limited system developed by Caltech, UC-Berkeley, and the University of Washington, in conjunction with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), has already been deployed and has proven that the early warning technology is sound. It will cost an estimated $38.2 million to build out a full system for the west coast, with annual operating and maintenance costs of $16.1 million.

"I am pleased that the House Appropriations Committee has once again provided vital early funding for the earthquake early warning system. It is absolutely critical that the West Coast implement an earthquake early warning system that will give us a heads up before the "big one' hits, so we can save lives and protect infrastructure," said Schiff. "We are constantly reminded of our vulnerability--with tremors, earthquakes and aftershocks rattling our homes and business--and even a few seconds of warning will allow people to seek cover, slow or stop trains, pause surgeries, and more. Congress has made clear the importance of the system and our continued commitment. It's time for our West Coast state government and local partners -- now more than ever -- to do their part with funding for this invaluable system."

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