Have you written your congressman & senator today?

I emailed Bill Johnson and Sherrod Brown today to ask them to look at this site and study the dilemma of landowners and farmers.  I will do so once a week until I get a response, (hope my fingers don't wear out from typing).  Just short informative stuff with no crazy talk.  Do your part to help the cause!  Thanks all.

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Permalink Reply by Markus on March 25, 2013 at 12:25pm
John:

What is the dilemma you refer to faced by landowners and farmers that is to be gleaned from this site that politicians should be aware of?
Permalink Reply by Markus on March 25, 2013 at 1:16pm
So everyone is going to write to the politicians asking them to read this site to "understand the dilemma facing landowners and farmers."
You reference the above issues. What is it that you desire these politicians to do on each of these issues?
For example, some on this site think forced pooling is necessary, some don't.
What specifically about property rights do you want to be addressed?
My point is that many aspects of all of this are up for debate so what specifically are you suggesting people write to these folks to ask them to take action on?
Permalink Reply by Keith A Williams on March 25, 2013 at 2:42pm

Fang,

I, a landowner, believe forced pooling is absolutely necessary! (and I believe I understand it well)

I just believe that a contract is a contract not something that is changed by the state every time a group of people want something they did not think of when they signed up.

Using your logic (The people in Columbus were elected to serve US their constituents.) then the antifrackers should have their say and all drilling should be stopped.

Just my thoughts!

Keith

Permalink Reply by Keith A Williams on March 25, 2013 at 4:19pm

Fang,

I talked to Tony Blair when I started my landowner group back in 2010. He (at one time in the past) was a member of the board that reviews the requests for mandatory pooling. He stated that those requests are frowned upon by the state and that ALL avenues had to be exhausted before the request would even be considered. Then the companies each can only use this request process a limited number of times per year. I got the feeling that he, as a oil man, believed that the state would never let the request process be abused or overused. The state feared that over use of this process would be worse than not having it at all. 

I think it speaks volumes that there have been only 2 requests granted so far. 

Keith

Permalink Reply by John OBrien, landowner advocate on March 25, 2013 at 11:59pm

Keith,

I would be interested in hearing about "your landowner group".  I can understand how holdouts may need a little nudge.  However, I don't think it is ever the right thing to allow a forced landowner to accept a lease agreement that is not fair to them.  In other words, if they are force pooled by HPB (and in some cases no production or drilling at all) , and the small O & G company that "owns them" gets thousands of dollars/acre and a 6.25% rider bonus on their deep minerals, without ever lifting a finger (other than to hold a pen for two seconds) and won't even consider sharing the profits with the landowner is BS.  Some of these producers have drilled and the wells have paid for themselves many times over providing a handsome profit already.  So why not be fair to the landowner who made that possible for them.  Most of these types of leases provided no up front money and only 12.5% royalty. These types of companies are nothing but greed mongers.  It is nothing short of evil to treat an unsuspecting hard working farmer this way.  

Another "old saying":  Money is the root of all evil. 

Permalink Reply by Keith A Williams on March 26, 2013 at 1:27am

John,

First you talk about forced pooled, then you are talking about HBP. You do realize those are two VERY different things.

Keith

Permalink Reply by John OBrien, landowner advocate on March 25, 2013 at 1:49pm

Markus,

Why the negativity?  Are you a landowner?  If so, have you already signed a lease?  If that is the case are you happy with your lease, or did you get taken advantage of?  

Do you know any "old sayings"?  You know they get old for a reason don't you?  It is because they have held true ever since they were first uttered.

Try this one on for size:  "The squeaky wheel gets the grease".  If we can agree, instead of being negative with each other,  "we the landowners" can all get fair leases.  I cannot believe that anyone thinks the O & G companies are always right, and have not pulled the wool over unsuspecting landowners eyes.  Nor are the stubborn holdouts always right.  All I am saying is, everyone deserves fair treatment.  But if you don't ask for it, look the heck out.  The greed mongers will stomp us flat.  

If you have been following our topic about educating the landowners you might understand.

Oh, I clicked on your name.  You are listed as "other", imagine that, O&G man maybe?

Permalink Reply by John OBrien, landowner advocate on March 25, 2013 at 1:56pm

Fang,

Jealous of the landowners maybe?

Permalink Reply by Markus on March 25, 2013 at 2:08pm
You write to ask people to write to their elected officials to ask them to study this site to understand the dilemmas faced by landowners and farmers. I suggest that maybe you could be more specific. You call me jealous and negative.
What constitutes a "real response" by the way?
Permalink Reply by John OBrien, landowner advocate on March 25, 2013 at 2:17pm

Markus,

Sorry if I offended you.  I don't mean to, but if you really want to know about the issues, read the posts on the site instead of asking us to repeat ourselves. Please.  In fact click on my name if you want to know what has happened to friends and family in my county.  Also, maybe read the "About" section at the bottom of every page.

And thanks for listening.

Permalink Reply by Gas heir on March 25, 2013 at 3:49pm
I agree that landowners need to gain a larger voice. As a public school teacher, I have much practice at writing to state senators and state representatives in an attempt to retain my pension.

One thing that makes it easier for individual landowners/farmers to express their position is for some articulate individual, that would not be me, to write a sample letter. This individual, possibly Fang, (hint, hint) could Post this letter and then each individual landowner could personalize the letter and send it to their appropriate representative. Just a thought.....I personally have had enough of big companies holding leases for 40 years, without paying out a penny and trying to tie up land. Crazy!
Permalink Reply by Billy Park Whyde on March 26, 2013 at 1:47am

  The idea of contacting legislators sounds like the AMERICAN WAY. But with the way this country has changed face I personally do not want to give them any ideas as to how to make themselves richer AT OUR EXPENSE!

  Find a situation where a lobbyist can enter the picture and it boils down to a money maker. I personally do not believe that there are many legislators that would put your interest of paying for your children's college  above a lobbyist golf outing in the Caribbean during winter. 

  Oh my landowners getting money? Ooo wee another way to tax a minority. 

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