Surface Owners' Bill of Rights -- We Need You
By Julie Archer, Julie@wvcag.org
As anticipated, the Surface Owner's Bill of Rights was introduced in the Senate earlier this week. SB 482 sponsors are Senators Larry Edgell, Jon Blair Hunter, Brooks McCabe, Randy White and Jeff Kessler. Like our House sponsors, they deserve a big "thank you" from citizens for standing up for property owners' rights.
Now that the bill has been introduced, we are gearing up for WV Surface Owners' Rights Day next Wednesday, February 6. Legislators will only be impressed by a strong turnout. The oil & gas industry is powerful and well financed. As noted last week we've heard they have signed on several extra lobbyists. This means they are taking our efforts seriously and we need to respond accordingly by being vocal and visible. E-mail info@wvsoro.org or call (304) 346-5891 if you plan to attend.
If you can't make it Charleston next week, please be sure to contact your legislators. Tell them what happened to you and what you think should be done to protect surface owners from industry abuses. Tell them to support the Surface Owners' Bill of Rights (HB 4286 & SB 482).
If your legislator serves on one of the committees where the Surface Owners' Bill of Rights was referred, it's especially critical they hear from you. The House version was sent to the Committee on Industry & Labor/Economic Development & Small Business where it may be taken up next Wednesday (WV-SORO Day). (See here for a list of committee members.) We'll know Monday if the HB 4286 will be on the agenda and plan to request a public hearing so the committee can hear from WV-SORO members. If the committee holds a hearing, they will also accept written comments. We hope you can attend and take advantage of this opportunity to share your story. If you can't make it but have comments you'd like to share, send them to info@wvsoro.org and we'll make sure they are distributed.
In the Senate, the bill has been sent to Energy, Industry and Mining.
Regional Town Hall Meetings Update & Thanks Yous
WV-SORO held its second Regional & Information meeting Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the Heritage Park Community Center in Spencer. We had a great turn out (more than 100 people) and got folks fired up to help us push for passage of the Surface Owners' Bill of Rights.
Special thanks to: Chuck Wyrostock for helping with logistics and getting the word out; Robin Wilson for getting us there and back, and other behind the scenes support and assistance; and John Snyder, founding member, citizen organizer & researcher extraordinaire. John has put together a great informational CD covering a variety of topics affecting surface owners. Get in touch if you would like a copy.
We're still planning a meeting for the Boone, Lincoln, and Logan County areas in the near future.
WV-SORO Day agenda:
WV-SORO Day at the Legislature, State Capitol, Charleston
8AM to 11AM ~ Gather in Governor's Press Conference Room (located in the Secretary of State's Office, Room 157-K; coffee & danish provided)
10AM ~ Press Conference on Surface Owners' Bill of Rights
11AM to 3PM ~ Lobbying, Meetings with Legislators
If you want to carpool with others from your area or want more information, call us at 346-5891 or 1-866-WVB-FAIR or e-mail norm (at) wvsoro.org
