Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s fracking ban leaves out publicly-owned waterways
Monday, February 23, 2015
In January, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf reinstated a fracking ban on state parks and forests, but the ban didn’t include publicly-owned waterways*, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PowerSource reports.
The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has signed 21 leases for oil and gas drilling beneath publicly-owned waterways since 2010. Between bonus payments and royalties, the state has raised $19 million from these leases. Since 2008, DCNR has leased almost 140,000 acres of state forests and has collected more than $700 million in bonus payments and royalties.
The leasing of DCNR lands can continue, as long as certain laws are followed. DCNR is also looking into any instances of drilling on public lands without leases, so that the agency is properly compensated.
Via: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PowerSource > Pennsylvania raised $19 million from leases to drill beneath waterways
Related: Pennsylvania governor reinstates fracking ban on state land Jan. 29, 2015
*An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the fracking ban didn’t include public lands managed by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
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Shale FAQ
How often do royalty payments come?
Depending on the company, royalty payments can arrive monthly or quarterly.
Are my royalty payments transferable?
Yes. If you plan on selling your property, notify the gas company that is leasing your land and your realtor. They will make arrangements to allow the royalty payments to transfer to a different land owner.
What are royalties?
Royalties are payments from the gas company to the landowner as part of a lease agreement. Royalties payments cannot begin until production begins. The payments are dependent upon the market price of the resource.