By JAKE GOODMAN
Student Writer
Northwestern’s Enid campus hosted a presentation over earthquakes, put together by Angela Spotts.
The event was broadcast to all three Northwestern campuses via ITV.
Spotts is an activist who is against the earthquakes and believes that the cause of earthquakes is from hydraulic fracking. Spotts said that she finds fracking to be dangerous, which is why she decided to form the group “Stop Fracking Payne County.”
The group is made up of Payne County citizens who are worried about the alarming number of earthquakes in Oklahoma. They invite scientists and politicians to join in researching the connection between fracking and the earthquakes in Oklahoma.
Spotts presented a video titled “Oklahoma Shakedown”.
The video included citizens from all over Oklahoma discussing what their biggest concerns are about earthquakes and drilling.
One citizen was the mayor of Cherokee Karen Hawkins. Hawkins said she thinks that the earthquakes are a part of the economic boom. Most people are worried about what the earthquakes will do to homes and businesses.
Many people worry about earthquakes because they do not come with any warnings.
Another issue that was addressed in the presentation is that oil companies are drilling close to cities. Citizens of Stillwater, Oklahoma are demanding that wells should not be placed near the city because they say that they think it could cause health issues, and put citizens in danger.
The film also showed how the Spotts’ group has spoken out and protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol to stop hydraulic fracking across the state.
In the video, college students talked about what they think is causing the earthquakes as well as how they can be stopped.
The group has a Facebook page, which can be found by searching “Stop Fracking Payne County.”