The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) $131,843, to ensure continued protection of groundwater in Oklahoma. The EPA has delegated authority to the OCC to administer and enforce the underground injection control (UIC) program in Oklahoma. The funds will be used to issue permits for injection wells that meet program requirements and for shutting down wells when pollution has occurred. The funds will also be used to inventory injection wells, perform technical reviews of all permit applications, perform on-site field investigations and conduct interviews and visual observations for compliance assurance.
The mission of the EPA is to protect public health. This grant helps ensure American citizens have safe sources of drinking water through a cooperative effort between the EPA, state and tribal governments. The UIC program works toward protecting underground sources of drinking water from contamination by regulating the construction and operation of injection wells.