Some are describing a gas purge in Pawhuska as a “state of emergency.” And there is one, based on the executive order recently signed by Gov. Mary Fallin.
State and federal agencies met Monday night with residents of the city after a gas leak was located last week in a well on the softball field of the Pawhuska High School.
As News on 6’s Justin Shrair reported, more than 100 people filled the community center for the meeting held by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the State Fire Marshall.
The State indicated there are 28 geo-thermal wells on site and two are seeping natural gas into the community. The leaks have prevented the start of classes at Pawhuska High School. Classes were to have started last week.
The state plan calls for a ventilation system to be put into place over the next few days, rather than plugging the wells. School officials are hopeful the plan will work, allowing the start of classes.
Those on hand were informed by EPA representatives that air samples taken inside and outside of the high school are safe.