Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have been used in parts of the Midwest for years, and are now being used in Pennsylvania and New York as well. Landowners and farmers in these states have expressed concerns about the effects that drilling have on their lives and livelihoods. The New York State Senate has passed a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing that would give the state more time to study the impacts of hydraulic fracturing. The United States EPA conducted a study of the impacts of hydraulic fracturing, including its effect on drinking water. The New York State Department of Energy and Conservation is developed an environmental impact statement on hydraulic fracturing.
Cornell University Cooperative Extension, Penn State, and the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at NC State developed resources for farmers and landowners that explain concerns with gas leases and the impact of hydraulic fracturing on land, groundwater, and health. The New York State Attorney General also issued a pamphlet warning landowners about misinformation surrounding gas leases.
Learn More:
- Compulsory Pooling & Landowner Protections presentation
- Gas Rights and Right-of-Way Leasing Considerations for Farms and Woodlands from Cornell Cooperative Extension, NY. Tips and a list of issues to consider when evaluating a mineral rights lease.
Sources & Suggested Reading:
(1) Murawski, John. June 26, 2010. Natural Gas Rights Going Fast in Lee County. News & Observer.
(2) Cornell University Cooperative Extension. 2008. Gas Exploration and Leasing On Private Land: Tips and Guidance for New York Landowners.
(3) Reid, Jeffrey C. and Taylor, Kenneth B. 2009. Shale Gas Potential in Triassic Strata of the Deep River Basin, Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina with pipeline and infrastructure data. North Carolina Geoloical Survey, open-file report 2009-01.
(6) Murawski, John. June 26, 2010. Natural Gas Rights Going Fast in Lee County. News & Observer.
(8) Weidner, Krista. 2008. Natural Gas Exploration: A Landowner’s Guide to Leasing Land in Pennsylvania.Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences Agricultural Extension.
(9) 2008. Oil and Gas Leases: Landowners Rights. Office of the New York State Attorney General.
(12) Henderson, Bryan. July 27, 2010. Natural Gas Drilling Coming to NC? The Charlotte Observer.
(15) Cornell University. 2010. Natural Gas Development: Frequently Asked Questions: Local Government and Community Impacts.
(16) Rogers, Michele, et al. 2010. Marcellus Shale: What Local Government Officials Need to Know. Penn State.
(20)Reid, Jeffrey C. and Taylor, Kenneth B. 2009. Shale Gas Potential in Triassic Strata of the Deep River Basin, Lee and Chatham Counties, North Carolina with pipeline and infrastructure data. North Carolina Geological Survey, open-file report 2009-01.
(21) Efstathiou, Jim Jr. Aug. 4, 2010. New York Senate Approves Halt to Shale Gas Drilling Over Water Safety. Bloomberg News.
