Gas drilling dangerous to water supply

Everyone signing off on your gas rights understand that our drinking water and wildlife are already under seige. The millions of gallons of water used will go back into the supply filled with chemicals that will kill fish and contaminate your water. If you are lucky enough to get a few dollars they only pump in the summer when the rates are low so they can avoid royalties. Everyone is so gullable around here. They say they will take your gas whether you sign or not. Then why are they going around with contracts. In NJ they were ordered to stop drilling because of contamination to the water. Think before you sign.

Sigh, I hope Rostraver twp wakes up. There are few of us who still have wells are being asked to sign up or give up their gas rights. What is the legal way to stop them, without going bankrupt?

The only way it will stop is if/when the price of natural gas drops to a point low enough which would make the drilling cost prohibitive.

Other than that, forget it. Rendell is already spending the money from the new taxes he'll impose unpon everybody involved.

The EPA might be the agency to contact because of the water contaminiation, but I doubt they will do little more than hand down a fine for a few thousand dollars. About the same effort they use to save water and land in West Virginia due to coal extraction. Again, TOO much money to make to justify stopping it.

It's far cheaper and easier to release reports indacating how nothing is wrong and all is okay.

what the wrote:

The only way it will stop is if/when the price of natural gas drops to a point low enough which would make the drilling cost prohibitive.
Other than that, forget it. Rendell is already spending the money from the new taxes he'll impose unpon everybody involved.
The EPA might be the agency to contact because of the water contaminiation, but I doubt they will do little more than hand down a fine for a few thousand dollars. About the same effort they use to save water and land in West Virginia due to coal extraction. Again, TOO much money to make to justify stopping it.
It's far cheaper and easier to release reports indacating how nothing is wrong and all is okay.

You are absolutely correct. But not everyone needs to sign their rights away. They don't realize that they are not going to get what they think.

I heard from my neighbor if you do not sign it they will take it anyway, so you may as well sign it. Since we didn't jump right away and sign, another company yesterday came in with a higher bid. I would love to have city water.

aregularperson wrote:

I heard from my neighbor if you do not sign it they will take it anyway, so you may as well sign it. Since we didn't jump right away and sign, another company yesterday came in with a higher bid. I would love to have city water.

If they are going to take it anyway then why are they coming round peddling contracts? It does not make sense

Who knows, these are two different companies that have contacted us. I am taking a wait and see attitude. I really can't see how they can make us sign a contract or take the gas without permission. I think my neighbor that signed is full of beans.

Take whatever they offer, it's not going to last long anyway.

its true

Giving up the mineral rights (severing mineral rights) to your property means that
the owner of those rights has not only the ability to develop the minerals below
the surface but also to do what is necessary on the surface to access any minerals
below. These rights may include locating access roads on the surface, burying
pipelines near the surface, depositing some types of waste, such as brine, on the
surface or back into the well, deducting production costs from royalty payments,
selecting the well location (within spacing and setback regulations), determining
the depth and direction of the well, clearing (typically clear cutting) a section of
the surface for drilling and access, retaining access to the mineral rights for 20
years or longer, and accessing the property whenever necessary and without prior
notice. We also learned that “signing bonuses” are one time only payments, rates
for royalties are negotiable, that we would not receive any royalty payments
unless gas was produced, that payments could last for only a short period, and that
such payments would be small. We were informed that the typical mineral lease
includes rights to access not only gas and oil from the targeted geological deposits
but also other deposits below or above the targeted source. We also learned that it
would be difficult to prevent a development company from slant drilling under
our surface property even if we had not surrendered our mineral rights to that
company. Most importantly we were advised that it is very difficult to “undo” a
mineral lease agreement once it has been signed; that “non-development”
agreements can be negotiated, that liability for possible environmental or
ecological damage and consequent property devaluation may not be clearly
addressed in leases, and that simply surrendering the mineral rights for a property
could lower the resale value of the property by 30%- 50%, depending on the
location, value, and type of property.
Here’s the bottom line— be skeptical and conservative. Prior to surrendering the mineral
rights to your property, make sure you are fully informed and knowledgeable. Consider
consulting with a qualified attorney, preferably one who specializes in oil and gas law,
who has experience representing property owners, and who is knowledgeable of
environmental regulations. Be wary of signing a lease prepared by the development
company. The company may be willing to modify their existing lease, but the standard
lease offered by the development company will not protect your interests as well as one
reviewed by a knowledgeable attorney on your behalf A good attorney will write an
addendum to that lease which will protect your interests.

Thank you concerned landowner, gave me some food for thought!