on Texans’ property rights
Tell the Railroad Commission: don’t change Rule 37
Under Rule 37, the Texas Railroad Commission allows minerals you own to be taken from you — even if you do not lease them.
Intended to allow drilling in certain limited cases where the mineral owner can’t be found, it’s a bad idea as it stands.
The Railroad Commisson wants to make it worse.
It has tentatively approved a change to Rule 37 that would allow a driller to take your minerals, without your consent or payment, so long as they notify you after the fact.
Obviously (to everyone except the Commission) this violates a number of bedrock American principles, like the right of a citizen to be compensated for takings of property.
As a mineral owner, at a minimum you should have the right to:
- Decide when/if you want to lease your minerals
- Decide who to lease your minerals to
- Defend your decisions in court
Sincerely,
Sharon Wilson
EARTHWORKS’ Texas Oil & Gas Accountability Project Organzier
Instructions:
- Go to the action page.
- Go to page bottom and enter your zip code to verify your Texas residency.
- Read the sample letter that appears and edit it if possible. Customized letters have greater impact.
- Click “Send My Message” to fax your letter to the Texas Railroad Commission.
- For more information, go to the action page.
- NOTE: only Texans can take action
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About Sharon Wilson
Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.
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Even better yet, if you get a Rule 37 notice in the mail, SEND IN THE PROTEST! It takes 5 minutes. No, you won't get sued, contrary to what the Big Gas Mafia will say. I can say this with confidence because I have done it. A typical quarter-acre tract will have $60,000-$80,000 in minerals stolen depending on market conditions. Would you let someone take 80k from your bank account and do nothing? So why let them take this?
Actually, no. This rule change does away with the protest part. So, no, you don't get to protest anymore if this rule change goes through.
I don't think it's retroactive though, oh, doh, it will be now.
Here's what little I know about the situation–the Legs will probably rename the Pig(RRC) and put new lipstick on it! Then they will require RRC hearings to be made like the WCEQ at the SOAH hearings. The operators don't like this so they want an "automatic" grab on mineral interests! Comments please.
There is a current relevant story available online where Rule 37 is being abused and the landowner is having to resort to drilling his own well.
http://mysoutex.com/view/full_story_landing/12389683/article-Do-it-yourself–Oil-Well-Drilling-?instance=karnes_regional_news
What a joke. I'm having a hard time even believing the farcical puppet show of rights we have in this country. This bill is a naked display of corporate rights trumping citizen's rights. If this passes everyone needs to start robbing gas executives of the valuables in their home while also damaging and thus devaluing the property. As long as you tell them about it after the fact Im sure it should be legal.
I think this all has to do with Louis McBee.
If it passes, it means the industry won't have to spend one more dime on their battalion of expensive lawyers who can't and don't hold a candle to one Fort Worth man ~ Louis McBee ~ when he shows up representing property owners who 1) couldn't get away from work and travel to Austin without losing their job; and/or 2) didn't have the money to hire an attorney; and/or 3) didn't have the confidence to speak on their own behalf in a public hearing about the Rule 37 Waiver.
Louis is a bona fide Texas hero. Thank you, Louis.