A series of earthquakes has hit north Louisiana, including one in Coushatta last night. Earthquake Tracker has documented eight earthquakes in Louisiana in the past week. Earthquakes are usually rare in the state. Seismologists featured on Baton Rouge’s WBRZ TV believe oil and gas activity to be responsible for the increased seismic activity. WWL TV in New Orleans reported that fracking could be a cause.

The following statement should be attributed to Anne Rolfes, Director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade.

“This morning, we woke up to news of another earthquake in Louisiana, and scientists are telling us that oil and gas activity is a likely cause. The future of our southern cities – from Lake Charles to New Orleans – is already at risk from floods and storms. The oil industry is responsible for our increased vulnerability because it has destroyed our coast. Now, we have potentially another disaster that is not natural at all, but is brought on by this industry.

The people of Ascension Parish are especially vulnerable for two reasons: there are many carbon capture wells planned, and there is a fault in the area. The River Parish Sequestration Project in particular raises alarms. The company’s own application for five CO2 injection wells acknowledges fault lines in the area (pages 22 – 23 of the application). The company plans to push forward despite the risks.

These earthquakes are a lesson that we should heed. The state of Louisiana should not allow any company to barrel ahead with carbon capture projects. It is time to slow down and to make sure we are not creating more disasters.”

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