LOS ANGELES (KRON) — Three dozen West Coast lawmakers are asking for full funding for an earthquake early warning system.
The lawmakers, from California, Oregon and Washington sent a letter on Tuesday to the House Appropriations Committee, asking that the U.S. Geological Survey get the fund necessary to make a demonstration system fully operational.
The system would cost $16.1 million and could cover the entire West Coast.
The system would consist of sensors that detect initial waves of an earthquake, providing seconds of warning before the slower, but more damaging waves arrive.
That $16.1 million would not only build the system, but also fund the operation and maintenance for the warning system.
In 2014, Congress voted to provide $5 million.
That brought total system funding to $6.5 million for fiscal year 2015.
California Rep. Adam Schiff says warning time could enable trains to brake, allow shutdown of sensitive systems and give people time to reach a safe location.