Experts to discuss earthquake early warning system for California

State Sen. Alex Padilla is meeting with state emergency officials to get an update on the progress of an earthquake early warning system that could give millions of Californians seconds of warning before a powerful temblor strikes.

The Los Angeles Democrat is convening a hearing at San Francisco City Hall on Wednesday that will also be attended by geology and transportation experts and representatives from the utility, health care, and water sectors.

Padilla has been spearheading efforts to build an early warning system since Gov. Jerry Brown last year ordered his Office of Emergency Services to develop such a system by 2016 and identify sources of funding for it.

An early-warning system would cost an estimated $80 million.

Efforts to build the system gained impetus after an earthquake jolted Napa in August.