Trump’s energy adviser changes mind on quake regulations, scientist says

Oklahoma oilman Harold Hamm, who has been advising President-elect Donald Trump on energy policy, has reversed his position and now supports Oklahoma regulations aimed at trying to prevent earthquakes, according to Jeremy Boak, the director of the Oklahoma Geological Survey.

Hamm is rumored to be a finalist for the job of Secretary of Energy.

Hamm once tried to get Oklahoma scientists fired for linking earthquakes to oil drilling, according to e-mails recovered in a report by Bloomberg. And Hamm continues to say that the Obama administration has far too many regulations.

Oklahoma is at more risk of potentially dangerous large earthquakes because the Oklahoma Geological Survey delayed so long in admitting that earthquakes were being caused by injections of wastewater, according to scientists and regulators in Oklahoma.

But Hamm’s position has changed on Oklahoma’s earthquake regulations, Boak said at a presentation at the University of Oklahoma last week. Boak said Hamm told him in a telephone conversation that Hamm supports Oklahoma’s increased regulation of the oil industry to stop earthquakes.

“If we need to do more, let’s do it,” Boak said Hamm told him. “He has changed his view.”

An audience member asked whether Hamm’s general opposition to regulations could hurt Oklahoma’s efforts to reduce its earthquake problem.

“I would be surprised,” Boak said. “I think the state authorities are behind the actions that have been taken.”

This story was originally published November 21, 2016 at 5:12 PM with the headline "Trump’s energy adviser changes mind on quake regulations, scientist says."