Posted on 02/18/2010 3:11:47 PM PST by neverdem
* Farmers in New York state fear invasion of drilling rigs
* State considers whether to allow shale gas drilling
HANCOCK, New York, Feb 18 (Reuters) - The race to exploit America's promising reserves of shale gas has triggered a clash between landowners in New York state, pitting those eager to earn royalties from drilling against farmers who fear gas companies will be able to drill without their consent.
"There are people that say: my land, my gas," said Marc Dunau, an organic farmer in Hancock, located 150 miles (240 km) northwest of New York City, who refused to sign a lease to drill on his 50-acre (20-hectare) farm. "You know it is our land and it is your gas, but it's my water. And you can't get that gas unless my water and my air is protected."
Dunau was approached by multiple gas companies over the years, most recently in 2008 by XTO Energy , currently the subject of a $30 billion all-share takeover bid by Exxon Mobil .
The booming shale gas business accounts for 15 to 20 percent of U.S. natural gas production and is seen increasing fourfold over the next 15 years, providing a relatively clean energy source for a country sensitive to its dependence on foreign oil.
Natural gas from shale is trapped deep underground inside solid rock. It has been unlocked in recent years through technological advances.
Environmentalists and people living near drilling operations worry that the drilling process might contaminate ground water. Some landowners welcome the possible financial benefits of drilling in economic hard times. [ID:nN17118922]
The shale gas industry considers environmental opponents of drilling misguided, saying drilling is heavily regulated and that there has never been a documented case of ground water contamination because of hydraulic fracturing.
VIRTUAL MORATORIUM
New York state...
(Excerpt) Read more at alertnet.org ...
Sounds like Mr. Dunau only holds surface rights.
Tea Party Organizer (Dean Murray) Wins New York State Assembly Race
FReepmail me if you want on or off my New York ping list.
“”There are people that say: my land, my gas,”
All I have is my body.
Yep! I was thinking the same thing. If you own the land but do not own the mineral rights I believe that the contract when you purchased the land says that the person who owns the mineral rights are entitled to them and has the rights to retrieving them.
Short term gain
Eat a big pot of chili, you’ll have your gas as well...
Isn’t Hancock where a muslim enclave is supposed to be or be near?
Yup. Got the land cheaper because he severed the royalty. Now he will get enormous fees for damages, even though he only owns the surface. In his case, it will probably end up in court, but he is in a win, win situation. He will cause XTO to spend much more on the damages than they should have. When they finish their location, most people would be hardpressed to even see a location there. All of the companies that are developing the Barnett Shale surrounding Fort Worth have done a wonderful job blending in (a layman would have a hard time recognizing that they were in one of the largest gas fields in America.)
In socialist America I expect the state will use eminent domain and just take the land. Fewer and fewer acres are devoted to farming as each year passes. At this rate we will become a net importer of food as well, not just oil..
yes, islamburg is in Hancock.
Thanks for the ping!
Bump
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