A public hearing on HB 1684, scheduled for tomorrow, February 4. 2014, has been cancelled by the House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, likely
due to the snow storm that is hitting Pennsylvania and neighboring states.

Sponsored by State Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming), the legislation aims to limit natural gas-drilling companies from deducting post-production costs from royalty checks.

Post-production costs are the expenses involved in processing and transporting gas from the
well to the market. Although state law requires oil and gas companies to give a minimum royalty of 1/8th (or 12.5 percent), many landowners have been complaining recently they are receiving far less. They have accused some companies–particularly Chesapeake Energy–of withholding significant amounts of money and charging them for the post-production costs. 

Read more on the legislation in State Impact’s Bill aims to curb royalty check deductions Recent posts:
Sandy aid: Did NJ towns hurt most get the most money?
Injection well OK for Pa fracking water; more coming 
Capitol Hill Calendar: January 30, 2014  
UPDATE on Delaware River oil spill at Delta refinery
What do NJ and Blanche Dubois have in common?
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