TOWANDA — The Bradford County Board of Commissioners have announced a town hall meeting inviting area residents to discuss a growing problem in the Marcellus Shale region: natural gas company royalty underpayments to area landowners. Pennsylvania State Rep. Garth Everett(R-Lycoming), author of the guaranteed minimum royalties bill (State House Bill 1391), will be the featured guest. He will review his bill for attendees and answer attendees questions.

Area landowners in lease contracts with gas companies are increasingly vocal about their burgeoning problems with the industry. As a result, many are calling for an end to natural gas production to "stop the thievery." Everett's bill reinstates the 12.5 percent guaranteed minimum royalty paid to area landowners for 30 years by the gas industry according to state law. A 2010State Supreme Court decision struck down the minimum and referred royalty solutions to the state legislature. The legislature has yet to act, blocked by State legislative leaders steeped in lucrative gas company campaign donations, leaving their gas company sponsors enriched and landowners holding the bag.

The town hall meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14 at the Towanda High School, 1 High School Drive, Towanda, PA 18848.

Submitted by the Bradford County Commissioners.