Current Issues and Events
The Governor’s plugging assurance deal with Diversified does not plug wells like they say it does.
Blog WVSORO Oct 27 2025
Diversified got big by buying wells from bigger operators who might have had the money to plug those wells, but Diversified will not have enough money to plug all those wells. This new scheme got good press for the Governor and Diversified. It somehow uses multi-layers of "insurance" companies unknown to us. And even assuming their unrealistic numbers, the scheme will not generate enough money to plug all or maybe even half of the wells Diversified will eventually need to plug. Does it take the plugging liability off Diversified's books so it can buy more wells in other states so it can milk them and not be able to plug them either? That is one of several concerns. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
Blog WVSORO Oct 27 2025
Diversified got big by buying wells from bigger operators who might have had the money to plug those wells, but Diversified will not have enough money to plug all those wells. This new scheme got good press for the Governor and Diversified. It somehow uses multi-layers of "insurance" companies unknown to us. And even assuming their unrealistic numbers, the scheme will not generate enough money to plug all or maybe even half of the wells Diversified will eventually need to plug. Does it take the plugging liability off Diversified's books so it can buy more wells in other states so it can milk them and not be able to plug them either? That is one of several concerns. More
Issues: DEP, Oil and Gas
West Virginia Supreme Court grants WVSORO’s motion to file an amicus brief in long wall mining surface subsidence compensation case.
Press Release WVSORO Aug 20 2025
The case on appeal is about when the clock starts -- if at all -- on surface owners' suits for subsidence compensation: Surface owners think there should be no statute of limitations, or if there is, there should be equitable tolling where surface owners do not know when the mining occurs or when the subsidence will be over. More
Press Release WVSORO Aug 20 2025
The case on appeal is about when the clock starts -- if at all -- on surface owners' suits for subsidence compensation: Surface owners think there should be no statute of limitations, or if there is, there should be equitable tolling where surface owners do not know when the mining occurs or when the subsidence will be over. More
WVSORO files comments against data center and its natural gas power plant near Thomas, West Virginia
Blog WVSORO Aug 20 2025
A mysterious organization called Fundamental Data has filed for an air permit with the DEP for this. An extraordinary number of comments against it were filed. WVSORO supported the group comments, and did separate comments pointing out problems with noise and skyglow, and that the construction will change the population, housing demand etc. and spoil a treasured unique area for natural recreation. UPDATE: DEP granted the air permit, but there may be further challenges. More
Issues: Data center, DEP, Pollution
Blog WVSORO Aug 20 2025
A mysterious organization called Fundamental Data has filed for an air permit with the DEP for this. An extraordinary number of comments against it were filed. WVSORO supported the group comments, and did separate comments pointing out problems with noise and skyglow, and that the construction will change the population, housing demand etc. and spoil a treasured unique area for natural recreation. UPDATE: DEP granted the air permit, but there may be further challenges. More
Issues: Data center, DEP, Pollution
Concerned Organizations Petition Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals To Challenge the Grant of Primacy to West Virginia For Permitting and Oversight of Carbon Capture and Sequestration Wells
News WVSORO May 12 2025
The West Virginia Surface Owner’s Rights Organization, along with three environmental organizations, and represented by lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates, have petitioned the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging EPA’s decision to grant primacy of oversight of the drilling and closure of carbon dioxide injection wells... More
Issues: Injection wells
News WVSORO May 12 2025
The West Virginia Surface Owner’s Rights Organization, along with three environmental organizations, and represented by lawyers from Appalachian Mountain Advocates, have petitioned the United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging EPA’s decision to grant primacy of oversight of the drilling and closure of carbon dioxide injection wells... More
Issues: Injection wells
Diversified gets well plugging shortcut through 2025 Legislature (people signing new leases/amendments should disallow shortcut).
Leasing / Amendment Advice WVSORO May 28 2025
WVSORO was able during the 2025 West Virginia Legislature to stop the bill that would have cut the statute of limitations on back unpaid royalties. That was the good news. However, Diversified was able to use its political muscle to get a bill through, HB 3336, that weakened well plugging requirements. More
Issues: Legislation, Minerals-Royalties
Leasing / Amendment Advice WVSORO May 28 2025
WVSORO was able during the 2025 West Virginia Legislature to stop the bill that would have cut the statute of limitations on back unpaid royalties. That was the good news. However, Diversified was able to use its political muscle to get a bill through, HB 3336, that weakened well plugging requirements. More
Issues: Legislation, Minerals-Royalties