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Newsletter
Ohio enforces stricter measures on oil and gas drilling rights on private properties

Ohio enforces stricter measures on oil and gas drilling rights on private properties

Ohio sees a surge in forced land use for oil and gas extraction despite property owners' resistance.

Kathiann M. Kowalski reports for Energy News Network.

In short:

  • Ohio has increased the number of unitization orders, allowing oil and gas companies to drill on private lands without full owner consent.
  • The state law mandates 65% owner agreement before companies can proceed, yet recent changes have eased this process significantly.
  • Critics argue these legal adjustments favor the petroleum industry overwhelmingly, sidelining landowner rights and environmental concerns.

Key quote:

"All the cards are stacked against us."

— Patrick Hunkler, affected landowner

Why this matters:

The increasing frequency of these orders raises concerns about the balance of industry benefits against individual property rights and environmental impacts. This controversial approach has raised significant environmental and health concerns among residents. Many fear that the intrusion of drilling operations could lead to water contamination, air pollution, and other risks associated with fracking and traditional drilling methods. These apprehensions are compounded by reports from other regions that experienced similar expansions in drilling activity, where increases in health issues like respiratory problems and waterborne diseases were observed.

Learn more:

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Newsletter
South Dakota: House leader cautions that pipeline opposition may compromise landowner rights

South Dakota: House leader cautions that pipeline opposition may compromise landowner rights

Amidst legislative tensions, a suite of bills seeks to navigate the delicate balance between economic development and property rights in South Dakota's pipeline debate.

Joshua Haiar reports for South Dakota Searchlight.

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mountain valley lawsuit climate energy

Landowners fight to keep Mountain Valley lawsuit alive

Virginia landowners who sued to stop the Mountain Valley pipeline from crossing their property are fighting to keep their court challenge alive — even after Congress brokered a deal to ensure the natural gas project’s completion.

California oil lobby seeks to strip environmental protections for groundwater amid drought
capitalandmain.com

California oil lobby seeks to strip environmental protections for groundwater amid drought

The move could make it harder for landowners to sue companies that pollute water tables.
Pa. Supreme Court ruling erodes Marcellus Shale royalty cheating case
www.post-gazette.com

Pa. Supreme Court ruling erodes Marcellus Shale royalty cheating case

High court rules 6-1 Pennsylvania’s consumer protection law does not apply to landowners that lease drilling rights on their property.  
Eminent domain lets pipeline developers take land, pay little, say Black property owners
mlk50.com

Eminent domain lets pipeline developers take land, pay little, say Black property owners

Joseph Owens turned down an offer of $3,000 from an oil pipeline company to buy easements on his property. So the company took Owens to court, claimed eminent domain and took them anyway.
Orphan wells: Canada's struggling oil industry leaves thousands abandoned
www.washingtonpost.com

Orphan wells: Canada's struggling oil industry leaves thousands abandoned

The Alberta Energy Regulator had $170.3 million to clean up liabilities estimated at more than $22.5 billion.
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