FORT GIBSON, Okla. — A Fort Gibson family of five lost their home after discovering it was built on an oil well, now their experience led to a new bill in the Oklahoma House
Senate Bill 1319 passed the House floor this week.
The Meredith family — a family of five — said contamination from an underground well seeped into their bedroom, bathroom, and walls. At one point, the family said nearly 500 gallons a day flowed inside their home. Despite visits from Oklahoma Corporation Commission officials in September and October of last year, the family said they received no guidance on cleanup or next steps, forcing them to hire their own experts.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission claimed in March the case falls outside their jurisdiction.
Mitch Meredith, the father at the center of the battle, described the moment he realized the scope of the problem.
"All I saw was just gray and black and everything flowing everywhere," Meredith said.
Meredith described his frustration trying to get answers from regulators, "And I said, help me contain this. What do I do? You guys have seen we're in a neighborhood. Where's this going?"
Now, multiple lawmakers are working to ensure no other family faces the same regulatory nightmare. Rep. Chris Sneed (R) is among those leading the effort.
"Through the application process, the Meredith family or any family in the future would be able to, you know, apply through OCC and, you know, hopefully get those funds. In the fund, it's capped at $600,000. We've appropriated $500,000 to go into that fund," Sneed said.
Sneed says the money would be available immediately once the governor signs the legislation, though the bill still needs final approval.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission responded to a request for comment but declined to discuss the Meredith case.
The Meredith family hopes the bill finally provides the relief they'vebeen seeking and protect other Oklahoma families from facing the same ordeal.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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