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27 posts found, showing 20 per page
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Lack of Inspections Leads to Leaking Gas Wells
Press Release WVSORO February 7, 2022
A 2018 study by Princeton and McGill Universities has come to light showing that 53% of active, conventional, vertical gas wells were leaking an average of 9 cubic feet of gas -- an hour. Lack of inspections lead to the leaking wells discovered in the study. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution
Press Release WVSORO February 7, 2022
A 2018 study by Princeton and McGill Universities has come to light showing that 53% of active, conventional, vertical gas wells were leaking an average of 9 cubic feet of gas -- an hour. Lack of inspections lead to the leaking wells discovered in the study. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution
Governor’s Appointment to Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Blasted
Press Release, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 29, 2019
A representatives of surface owners and mineral owners today blasted the Governor for appointing a long time leading oil and gas industry member, a person who is still a consultant and expert witness for the industry, to the seat designated for the public on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. More
Press Release, Updates and Alerts Kayla Young October 29, 2019
A representatives of surface owners and mineral owners today blasted the Governor for appointing a long time leading oil and gas industry member, a person who is still a consultant and expert witness for the industry, to the seat designated for the public on the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. More
Surface Owners’ Rights Organization Renews Request to Governor To Put Well Plugging Money Bill on Special Session Call
Press Release WVSORO May 14, 2019
Three bills were alive on the last day of the Legislative Regular Session that would have provided money to begin plugging orphaned gas wells. Two, SB 665 and HB 2779, would together have paid to plug maybe 100 orphaned wells a year died unexpectedly. One bill, HB 2673, that might have plugged 60 orphaned wells a year did pass. However, it was unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor. That bill was reported to be vetoed for technical reasons. Putting an improved version of the vetoed plugging money bill on the special session call is an important first step to addressing the problem of these wells that pollute groundwater and surface and devalue innocent surface owners' lands. We ask the Governor to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
Press Release WVSORO May 14, 2019
Three bills were alive on the last day of the Legislative Regular Session that would have provided money to begin plugging orphaned gas wells. Two, SB 665 and HB 2779, would together have paid to plug maybe 100 orphaned wells a year died unexpectedly. One bill, HB 2673, that might have plugged 60 orphaned wells a year did pass. However, it was unexpectedly vetoed by the Governor. That bill was reported to be vetoed for technical reasons. Putting an improved version of the vetoed plugging money bill on the special session call is an important first step to addressing the problem of these wells that pollute groundwater and surface and devalue innocent surface owners' lands. We ask the Governor to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Legislation, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
Legislation Introduced To Stop More Wells from Being Orphaned By Diversified, Other Drillers
Press Release WVSORO February 12, 2019
The “Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act” was introduced on this week on behalf of the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization (WV-SORO). The legislation would require what are calling “plugging assurance” in order to prevent more oil and gas wells from being orphaned. Many drillers have already gone out of business leaving more than 4,500 wells orphaned with no driller to plug them, and the orphaned well crisis continue to grow unless the Legislature takes action. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Press Release WVSORO February 12, 2019
The “Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Prevention Act” was introduced on this week on behalf of the West Virginia Surface Owners' Rights Organization (WV-SORO). The legislation would require what are calling “plugging assurance” in order to prevent more oil and gas wells from being orphaned. Many drillers have already gone out of business leaving more than 4,500 wells orphaned with no driller to plug them, and the orphaned well crisis continue to grow unless the Legislature takes action. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Plugging Assurance Legislation Needed to Stop More Wells from Being Orphaned by Diversified and Other Drillers
Press Release WVSORO January 18, 2019
One of the most widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding because West Virginia law allows drillers’ to use “blanket” performance bonds. It’s time for the Legislature to act and pass legislation that requires “plugging assurance” in the form of single well “plugging” bonds or the deposit of money now for future plugging into escrow. WV-SORO will soon have this Orphan Well Prevention Act legislation introduced and push for its passage this year. We can't wait any longer. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
Press Release WVSORO January 18, 2019
One of the most widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever is now unfolding because West Virginia law allows drillers’ to use “blanket” performance bonds. It’s time for the Legislature to act and pass legislation that requires “plugging assurance” in the form of single well “plugging” bonds or the deposit of money now for future plugging into escrow. WV-SORO will soon have this Orphan Well Prevention Act legislation introduced and push for its passage this year. We can't wait any longer. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Water
WV-SORO seeks hearing to convince DEP not to transfer plugging duty for 17,000 oil and gas wells
Press Release WVSORO November 20, 2018
WV-SORO is publicly urging the DEP to grant our hearing request so we can give the DEP evidence that the transfer of wells by EQT and others to Diversified is a constructive fraud on the surface owners and mineral owners of West Virginia, and that the transfers should not be approved. Approval of these transfers will pave the way for one of the most, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever in West Virginia, and it is preventable by not approving the transfers and leaving the cost of plugging with the companies that can afford to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
Press Release WVSORO November 20, 2018
WV-SORO is publicly urging the DEP to grant our hearing request so we can give the DEP evidence that the transfer of wells by EQT and others to Diversified is a constructive fraud on the surface owners and mineral owners of West Virginia, and that the transfers should not be approved. Approval of these transfers will pave the way for one of the most, if not the most, widespread environmental and property rights disasters ever in West Virginia, and it is preventable by not approving the transfers and leaving the cost of plugging with the companies that can afford to do so. More
Issues: Abandoned wells, Orphaned wells, Pollution, Reclamation fund, Water
West Virginia’s 2018 mineral cotenancy statute is takes effect
Press Release WVSORO June 24, 2018
The Co-tenancy Modernization and Majority Protection Act which passed the 2018 West Virginia Legislature took effect June 3, 2018. It made big changes in oil and gas leasing and surface owners’ rights. Most importantly, if the driller is using the 2018 co-tenancy statute to drill a well, then the well pad and roads, etc. needed to drill that well cannot be placed on a surface owner’s land without the surface owner's consent! Additionally, the Act will definitely affect negotiations of leases from all mineral owners. WV-SORO has added two new pages to our website to help surface and mineral owners better understand the new law and what to do if they are affected. More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Pooling
Press Release WVSORO June 24, 2018
The Co-tenancy Modernization and Majority Protection Act which passed the 2018 West Virginia Legislature took effect June 3, 2018. It made big changes in oil and gas leasing and surface owners’ rights. Most importantly, if the driller is using the 2018 co-tenancy statute to drill a well, then the well pad and roads, etc. needed to drill that well cannot be placed on a surface owner’s land without the surface owner's consent! Additionally, the Act will definitely affect negotiations of leases from all mineral owners. WV-SORO has added two new pages to our website to help surface and mineral owners better understand the new law and what to do if they are affected. More
Issues: Horizontal wells, Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Pooling
Advice for mineral owners approached about selling their rights
Press Release WVSORO April 5, 2018
Mineral owners contact us on a regular basis with questions because they have been approached by a company or individual that is offering to buy their mineral rights. Often the first question someone asks us is, ‘How much should I sell for?’ We think that is the wrong first question. The first question you should ask is, ‘Should I sell at all?’ And the answer is almost always, ‘No!’ Although there are some exceptions/situations where you may want to sell, generally it is a bad idea. It's better to retain your rights, than let others reap the long-term profits. More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties
Press Release WVSORO April 5, 2018
Mineral owners contact us on a regular basis with questions because they have been approached by a company or individual that is offering to buy their mineral rights. Often the first question someone asks us is, ‘How much should I sell for?’ We think that is the wrong first question. The first question you should ask is, ‘Should I sell at all?’ And the answer is almost always, ‘No!’ Although there are some exceptions/situations where you may want to sell, generally it is a bad idea. It's better to retain your rights, than let others reap the long-term profits. More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties
Court Approves Drilling Waste Settlement with EPA
Press Release Julie Archer December 29, 2016
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia formally approved a consent decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a coalition of community and environmental organizations. which requires the agency to review and, if necessary, revise its rules for the disposal and handling of dangerous and harmful oil and gas wastes, such as those that result from drilling and fracking. More
Issues: Drilling waste, EPA, Fracking, Pollution
Press Release Julie Archer December 29, 2016
The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia formally approved a consent decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a coalition of community and environmental organizations. which requires the agency to review and, if necessary, revise its rules for the disposal and handling of dangerous and harmful oil and gas wastes, such as those that result from drilling and fracking. More
Issues: Drilling waste, EPA, Fracking, Pollution
WV Citizens Join National Groups Filing Notice of Intent to Sue EPA Over Dangerous Drilling and Fracking Waste
Press Release WVSORO August 26, 2015
A coalition of environmental organizations filed a legal notice with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today demanding regulations to stop oil and gas companies from dumping drilling and fracking waste in ways that threaten public health and the environment. More
Issues: Drilling waste, EPA, Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO August 26, 2015
A coalition of environmental organizations filed a legal notice with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today demanding regulations to stop oil and gas companies from dumping drilling and fracking waste in ways that threaten public health and the environment. More
Issues: Drilling waste, EPA, Oil and Gas
Court to Weigh Appeal, Hearing Rights of Landowners Faced with Drilling
Press Release WVSORO September 24, 2012
On September 25th, the West Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will decide whether a surface landowner has a right to an administrative hearing on, and an appeal of, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) decision to issue a permit to drill a gas well on the surface owner’s land. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO September 24, 2012
On September 25th, the West Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that will decide whether a surface landowner has a right to an administrative hearing on, and an appeal of, the Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) decision to issue a permit to drill a gas well on the surface owner’s land. More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Surface Owners, Environmental Council Urge Special Session on Marcellus Drilling
Press Release WVSORO March 13, 2011
The lack of action taken by the House and the Senate to pass an effective and responsible bill to help regulate Marcellus Shale drilling, has the WV Surface Owners’ Rights Organization (WV-SORO), the WV Environmental Council and others urging Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to call a special session to address environmental and other concerns related Marcellus Shale development. More
Issues: Legislation, Marcellus shale
Press Release WVSORO March 13, 2011
The lack of action taken by the House and the Senate to pass an effective and responsible bill to help regulate Marcellus Shale drilling, has the WV Surface Owners’ Rights Organization (WV-SORO), the WV Environmental Council and others urging Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin to call a special session to address environmental and other concerns related Marcellus Shale development. More
Issues: Legislation, Marcellus shale
West Virginia Residents and Group Against Smog & Pollution Appeal Chesapeake Energy Marcellus Shale Permits
Press Release WVSORO October 14, 2010
On Tuesday West Virginia residents filed an appeal before the West Virginia Air Quality Board challenging two air permits recently issued to Chesapeake Energy for a large—and growing—Marcellus Shale operation in West Virginia’s northern panhandle. More
Issues: Marcellus shale, Pollution
Press Release WVSORO October 14, 2010
On Tuesday West Virginia residents filed an appeal before the West Virginia Air Quality Board challenging two air permits recently issued to Chesapeake Energy for a large—and growing—Marcellus Shale operation in West Virginia’s northern panhandle. More
Issues: Marcellus shale, Pollution
Landman Report Card Website Launched
Press Release WVSORO January 25, 2010
A Resource to Support Citizens Negotiating with Big Energy More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties
Press Release WVSORO January 25, 2010
A Resource to Support Citizens Negotiating with Big Energy More
Issues: Leasing, Minerals-Royalties
Filing deadline for claims in Dominion royalty case extended
Press Release WVSORO August 13, 2009
Mineral owners have more time to request payment from settlement More
Issues: Leasing, Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO August 13, 2009
Mineral owners have more time to request payment from settlement More
Issues: Leasing, Oil and Gas
Groups applaud additions to oil & gas rules, but urge additional changes
Press Release WVSORO July 15, 2009
A coalition of statewide organizations concerned about oil and gas issues is applauding amendments and additions to the rules that regulate drilling in West Virginia, but says additional changes are needed to more fully protect public health and the environment. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO July 15, 2009
A coalition of statewide organizations concerned about oil and gas issues is applauding amendments and additions to the rules that regulate drilling in West Virginia, but says additional changes are needed to more fully protect public health and the environment. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Groups applaud additions to oil & gas rules, but urge additional changes
Press Release WVSORO July 15, 2009
Coalition says stronger rules need to protect public health and the environment More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO July 15, 2009
Coalition says stronger rules need to protect public health and the environment More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Judge allows landowners’ group to intervene in well spacing suit
Press Release WVSORO June 3, 2009
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Issues: Well Spacing
Press Release WVSORO June 3, 2009
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Issues: Well Spacing
DEP Press Release
Press Release WVSORO April 20, 2009
Share via Facebook Like Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Digg Del Tumblr VKontakte Print Email Reddit Buffer Love This Weibo Pocket Xing Odnoklassniki iconOdnoklassniki WhatsApp Meneame Blogger Amazon Yahoo Mail Gmail AOL Newsvine HackerNews Evernote MySpace Mail.ru Viadeo Line Flipboard Comments Yummly SMS Viber Telegram Subscribe Skype Facebook Messenger Kakao LiveJournal Yammer Edgar Fintel Mix Instapaper Copy […] More
Issues: DEP, Marcellus shale
Press Release WVSORO April 20, 2009
Share via Facebook Like Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Digg Del Tumblr VKontakte Print Email Reddit Buffer Love This Weibo Pocket Xing Odnoklassniki iconOdnoklassniki WhatsApp Meneame Blogger Amazon Yahoo Mail Gmail AOL Newsvine HackerNews Evernote MySpace Mail.ru Viadeo Line Flipboard Comments Yummly SMS Viber Telegram Subscribe Skype Facebook Messenger Kakao LiveJournal Yammer Edgar Fintel Mix Instapaper Copy […] More
Issues: DEP, Marcellus shale
Northern Wayne County Community Association to Host Meeting on Oil & Gas Drilling and Surface Owners’ Rights
Press Release WVSORO October 14, 2008
The Northern Wayne County Community Association will be hosting a meeting on surface owners' rights and legislative options for expanding surface owner protections in West Virginia on Tuesday, October 28 More
Issues: Oil and Gas
Press Release WVSORO October 14, 2008
The Northern Wayne County Community Association will be hosting a meeting on surface owners' rights and legislative options for expanding surface owner protections in West Virginia on Tuesday, October 28 More
Issues: Oil and Gas
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