PA Supremes go political
 

Breaking News: PA Supreme Court Rules Against Landowner Seeking to Invalidate Lease

Last year, Susquehanna County landowner Herbert Kilmer sued ElexCo Land Services Inc. and Southwestern Energy Production to invalidate his lease. The reason? He said that by deducting drilling costs from his royalty payments, his payments fell below Pennsylvania’s law that a minimum one-eighth share of royalties are guaranteed to the landowner. A Susquehanna County judge ruled against the landowner and in favor of the energy companies. Other people started filing lawsuits, so the energy companies asked the PA Supreme Court to take up the matter. The Supremes did, and today they also ruled in favor of the energy companies:

It appears this was a political decision not a legal decision. PA has budget problems and is in negotiations with gas companies to lease public lands. The landmen were very successful with their con so a lot of land owners got burned.

Not getting enough money is the least of their problems, wait until the underground water is polluted and they can't use their well. :rolleyes:

It reminds me of the Hollywood saying that 'there is no net'. I wonder if gas companies and movie studios share the same accountants?