thetimes-tribune.com
Published: June 29, 2010
Gas tax law could OK 'forced pooling'
Firms would drill from nearby site
The Marcellus Shale natural gas industry wants to see legislation attached to any severance tax adopted by the state that would force property owners who refuse leases to allow drillers to gather the gas beneath their land, an industry coalition leader said Monday.
Calling it the most economical and conservative land-use approach to drilling for gas, David Spigelmyer, Chesapeake Energy's regional vice president for government relations, said in a Times-Tribune editorial board meeting that "forced pooling" is a key element of any legislation the state's Marcellus drillers could support and is actively being discussed during budget negotiations in the capital.
Mr. Spigelmyer said he does not expect forced pooling to be adopted in the coming days as part of budget talks, but he said "an agreement" likely will emerge with the budget "to talk about (the severance tax) holistically" with other industry-supported legislation on forced pooling.
The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an organization of the state's Marcellus drillers, "has not said, 'Hell no'รข€‰" to a severance tax, said Mr. Spigelmyer, the group's vice chairman. "We've said there needs to be a broader discussion."
A forced pooling statute would require landowners without gas leases to allow a company to drill under their land from a nearby leased property, and it would define the amount of royalties those holdout landowners are owed for their gas.
Eminent domain
Such a statute would help avoid an unnecessary proliferation of wells, Mr. Spigelmyer said, but critics say it is a form of eminent domain.
In May, State Rep. Camille "Bud" George, D-74, Houtzdale, Clearfield County, called it a "controversial, ugly provision" through which "an intrusive government would be depriving an individual's property rights to benefit private companies."
Limit zoning laws
As part of severance tax discussions, the industry also wants to limit municipal ordinances that attempt to regulate where gas drilling can occur - a development spurred by a state Supreme Court decision last year that opened the door for municipalities to have some control over where gas wells are located through zoning.
"We're willing to work with municipalities, but we're seeing ... an extraordinary number of ordinances that are coming into play that basically zone out development completely," Mr. Spigelmyer said. "We want to make sure we don't have ordinances in place that basically remove your rights."
Negotiations over a severance tax are at the center of ongoing state budget decisions, and Mr. Spigelmyer said Monday a Pennsylvania tax needs to look like those in other, competing shale-gas producing states.
Pennsylvania has benefitted from increased drilling without a severance tax, he said, but an unfair tax and recently introduced legislation to halt drilling in the state will deter development.
"I've already seen where companies have walked away from joint venture opportunities to invest in Pennsylvania because of the mere inference of a moratorium," he said.
"It has the potential to, and I think it already has, limited capital investment in the commonwealth."
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY!
Posts
Relatively than merely providing in, he struggles totally free, only to battle through a pair dozen much more lackeys on his way to hijacking a helicopter.
ReplyDeleteInstead of the truly free-roaming mechanics seen in a game like Grand Theft Auto 4, the player is largely confined to the game's carefully laid out dirt roads. Visitors can ascend the piece on escalators to visit exhibitions encased within the work of art's spheres, as well as the unique restaurant in the uppermost sphere, which is called Chez Adrienne.
Feel free to surf to my web-site ... ihatebreakcore.com
This act is recognized as "farming", whereby you create a character and promote it.
ReplyDeleteUnlike popular beliefs video games have how to use them which enable it to even be
considered as being a learning tool. Otherwise, choose the NES emulator
you think will work best for you and your system.
Also visit my homepage http://caqofuvazyt.sweetcircles.com/2013/02/27/revealing-critical-details-for-games/
In the four tournaments since his first of the season, he.
ReplyDeleteThis way you are not disappointed when you get residence, and you won't have to make a excursion back to the shop. It's fast to build and play and will challenge your memory.
Here is my site ... click the up coming article - www.centralvaama.org
In addition to this, now you can listen
ReplyDeleteto the radios online, which is already getting to be pretty popular.
Perhaps there is a news broadcast you want to check, or perhaps a vital sports game
you cannot miss. The viewing angle is extra wide, making it easier
for you to read or even allow others to read with you.
Stop by my web blog; http://www.online-radioportal.de
However, you must know how to be able to effectively utilize the tools for you
ReplyDeleteto essentially fully use the website. Update your fan page with relevant and interesting content.
Follow the installation process after the download is complete.
Also visit my blog - mouse click for source
I admire the valuable information you offer in your articles. I will bookmark your site!!
ReplyDeletefoot doctor in colorado springs
Multiplayer versions is more exciting as in this, you'll be able to team up or even contend with other participants to defeat the enemies. This way you are not disappointed when you get residence, and you won't have
ReplyDeleteto make a excursion back to the shop. Next Jim Deacove developed a few of his own board games based on the
principles of cooperation, group strategy and joint problem solving.
Also visit my web site; Recommended Internet site