Termination/Expiration/Surrender of Gas Leases in New York State
January 29, 2010
Termination/Expiration/Surrender of Gas Leases in New York
ATTENTION
Lease Termination Packet for Rural Landowners!
Do you have a gas lease on your property?
Will it be expiring soon (2011 or 2012)?
If so, the attached packet has some very important information for you!
Other Advice on lease termation
How to Terminate a Gas Land Lease in New York State | eHow.com.
Fleased Fleased is providing a voice for landholders who leased mineral rights before Marcellus shale gas exploitation was known to threaten our land, air, water and communities. To learn more or join us, contact us at fleasedny@gmail.com.
Mr. Kutney’s personal appeal to join him in a class-action suit after Chesapeake extended his lease against his will: http://www.stevekutney.com/GasLease.aspx
Comment: This is a very educational link, even though Mr. Kutney says all he wants is a new lease with better prices. It exposes the widespread abuse of the invocation of the force majeure argument, with links to private firms looking for clients, but also says the AG’s office in Binghamton is trying to get Chesapeake to settle. At least they are aware of the abuse. if the AG’s office settles with no meaningful input from affected citizens, they sometimes fold too easily.
This link also informs us about NY’s Martin Act that essentially says that contracts with clauses that are too vague and void and the company, in this instance, is responsible to make the contract clear. It also provides for legal fees if one wins, [perhaps].– this is very similar to the federal civil rights laws, which can award legal fees–AT THE END OF A CASE–and subject to the judge’s whims. Having done a bit of that work over the years, I can assure you this is not as good as it seems. This is because the costs of bringing a suit against such a huge corp. are staggering and they paper you to death and try to wear you out. Then when you get done and win, they and the judge nickel and dime you for the fees. I think we once calculated that we made about 85 cents per hour for the 29 years of the Attica civil rights class action litigation. It still is better than nothing.
GDACC 
