New York News

Chesapeake to Renegotiate 4,400 NY Gas Leases

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Dave Lucas
Published June 15, 2012 at 7:27 AM EDT
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NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announces a lawsuit in White Plains against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, regarding the storage of nuclear waste at nuclear power plants, once those plants close. (February 15th, 2011)

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman says Chesapeake Appalachia has agreed to let more than 4,400 landowners renegotiate old gas leases for more favorable financial and environmental terms. More from WAMC’s Dave Lucas…

Chesapeake also agreed to pay $250,000 to cover the state's investigation costs. The agreement was announced Thursday. 

The subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corp. tried to extend the leases in 2009, claiming the state's de facto moratorium on shale gas development since it started an environmental review in 2008 constituted an uncontrollable event that allows for an extension if an "act of god" or unforeseen circumstance prevents drilling.

Schneiderman investigated after receiving complaints from landowners. The leases were signed long before the shale gas boom boosted land prices. Many landowners today are also writing extensive environmental protections into leases.

Dave Lucas, WAMC News. 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.

New York Newsnew yorknyeric schneidermanchesapeake appalachiagas leases
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Dave Lucas
Dave Lucas is WAMC’s Capital Region Bureau Chief. Born and raised in Albany, he’s been involved in nearly every aspect of local radio since 1981. Before joining WAMC, Dave was a reporter and anchor at WGY in Schenectady. Prior to that he hosted talk shows on WYJB and WROW, including the 1999 series of overnight radio broadcasts tracking the JonBenet Ramsey murder case with a cast of callers and characters from all over the world via the internet. In 2012, Dave received a Communicator Award of Distinction for his WAMC news story "Fail: The NYS Flood Panel," which explores whether the damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee could have been prevented or at least curbed. Dave began his radio career as a “morning personality” at WABY in Albany.
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