Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Todd on February 18, 2015 at 7:40am

The bill is now off of the agenda for the House Judiciary Committee this week thanks in large part to the efforts of Delegate Pat McGeehan.  Please take the time to thank Pat.  He told the House Speaker that he is prepared to speak for hours on the landowners behalf to stop the bill.  But make no mistake, the fight is not over as there are plenty of votes to pass the bill if we the public don't speak up and make it clear that we will not have our property rights compromised.

Pat McGeehan    (R - Hancock, 01)

CONTACT

pat.mcgeehan@wvhouse.gov Capitol Office: Room 226E, Building 1 State Capitol Complex Charleston, WV 25305 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3397 Home: 616 Florida Avenue #5 Chester, WV, 26034 Home Phone: (304) 374-7018 Business Phone: (304) 374-7018

On the other hand, these two members of the Senate (Craig Blair and Mitch Carmichael) need to hear from those of us that oppose the bill as they have indicated that they don't mind the bill as it helps the Oil and Gas industry.  But at what cost -- the cost of the rights of private landowners and their negotiating power.

Craig Blair    (R - Berkeley, 15)

CONTACT

craig@craigblair.com Capitol Office: Room 217W, Building 1 State Capitol Complex Charleston, WV 25305 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7867 Home: 47 Wasser Drive Martinsburg, WV, 25403 Home Phone: (304) 754-5040 Business Phone: (304) 754-9031

Mitch Carmichael    (R - Jackson, 04)

Majority Leader

CONTACT

Mitch.Carmichael@wvsenate.gov Capitol Office: Room 227M, Building 1 State Capitol Complex Charleston, WV 25305 Capitol Phone: (304) 357-7855 Home: 18 Colonial Drive Ripley, WV, 25271 Home Phone: (304) 372-4667 Business Phone: (304) 372-4667

Permalink Reply by Todd on February 21, 2015 at 4:27pm

West Virginia residents and landowners,

The House Judiciary Committee is voting on the Forced Pooling Bill known as HB 2688 this Monday morning.  Mr. Ryan Weld is currently undecided which way to vote.  His vote could be the deciding vote!

Those who oppose forced pooling should email Ryan Weld. 

Ryan Weld    (R - Brooke, 02)

CONTACT

ryan.weld@wvhouse.gov Capitol Office: Room 224E, Building 1 State Capitol Complex Charleston, WV 25305 Capitol Phone: (304) 340-3367 Home: 2225 Marianna Street Wellsburg, WV, 26070 Home Phone: (304) 737-4185 Business Phone: (304) 670-6605

Also, here is a link to the all of the members of the House Judiciary Committee.

I wouldn't hurt to email each member:

http://www.legis.state.wv.us/committees/house/HouseCommittee.cfm?Ch...

House Judiciary  - Agenda

Monday, February 23, 2015, 9:00 AM

Location: Room 418

9:00 AM Meeting called to order

Roll call

  Approval of minutes

  SB357/HB2566  Coal Jobs and Safety Act of 2015 

HB2688  Providing for the unitization of interests in drilling units in connection with all horizontal oil or gas wells

Permalink Reply by Rick Clark on February 25, 2016 at 1:50am

Pooling a fast one on us, looks like it.

Farm Bureau Opposes HB 4639 and SB 646

West Virginia Farm Bureau strongly opposes HB 4639 and SB 646. After months of good faith negotiations, the oil and gas industry has abandoned its commitment to support legislation providing fair treatment of mineral and surface owners. HB 4639 and SB 646 strip away the ability of mineral and surface owners to negotiate a fair leasing agreement with reasonable compensation and sensible protection of their land. Further, land and mineral owners subject to forced pooling will no longer have recourse against companies that abuse the process, nor will they be paid by the oil and gas companies for their minerals. Instead, they will be forced to sue lessees within the pool for their rightful share of royalties, creating a nightmare for the West Virginia judicial system.

These bills also attempt to fool the public by changing terminology from ‘forced pooling’ to ‘co-tenancy reform,’ creating the illusion of protecting the property owners of West Virginia. Nothing could be further from the truth. Once again, land and mineral owners in the Mountain State will be left out in the cold while out-of-state corporations reap massive profits.

West Virginia Farm Bureau acknowledges the expansion of oil and gas resources are important for the future of West Virginia, but such development must be done in a way that is fair to all parties, and allows the owners of those resources to be justly compensated and protected in the process.

Take a stand, thanks Rick

Permalink Reply by Rick Clark on February 27, 2016 at 2:32am

Like to add ,

I have been treated fairly in my leases I have signed. maybe not on one, that was early in the leasing process.

forced pooling is a tool these companies have to have to drill these horizontal  wells.

you just cant stop others from developing there portion of a tract.  has to be a process to deal with  Anti drillers and to help others that want to lease reach an agreement. 

hopefully we can get a some good pooling legislation passed  that works for the majority of the people anyway.

not to pass bills that add to the confusion

Just my two cents.