Trump Again Seeks to End Funding for Earthquake Early Warning System

If America seeks to enhance its greatness, perhaps our supposed leaders should take a look at what Mexico is doing.  Yes, Mexico.

Mexico City got a substantial warning before the shaking from a distant earthquake arrived [February 16th] — some 30 to 60 seconds broadcast over loudspeakers from an earthquake early warning system.

It was another success for Mexico City’s earthquake warning system — one which California, Oregon and Washington state still lack, and one that is an ongoing target for elimination by Trump.

The Trump administration’s budget proposal released last week again zeroed out funding [$10.2 million] for the earthquake early warning program administered by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Mexico has invested in a system that literally saves lives.  Trump's swamp of budget workers, including the much-hated Ryan Zinke, say America cannot afford it.

The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the USGS, said in its budget justification that the reduction in the earthquake hazards program was proposed to “address higher priorities.”  The administration also proposed reducing staff for the USGS’s earthquake hazards program from 240 to 222, including 15 positions that staff the earthquake early warning program.

This is the second consecutive budget the Trump administration has proposed zero funds for the earthquake early warning system. Congress reversed Trump’s proposal to end development of the early warning system from the administration’s first proposed budget.

“A functioning earthquake early warning system can provide critical life-saving benefits, which is why there’s broad bipartisan support to fund it in Congress,” Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) said in a statement. “I will continue to advocate for the development and funding for the earthquake early warning system. This is a system the West Coast needs to have in place.”

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Burbank) said the USGS’s ShakeAlert system would protect property and infrastructure.  “Congress has remained steadfast in its bipartisan support for the system, and I will work to see that Congress resumes funding for the project just as we did last year when the budget zeroed it out,” Schiff said in a statement.

The USGS has been working on an earthquake early warning system for years, but the system remains short on funds. It’s estimated that the system will cost at least $38 million to build for the West Coast and $16 million annually to operate and maintain.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-early-warning-20180220-htmlstory.html