Post by Logan on Feb 23, 2016 20:11:02 GMT -6
WV Senate passes bill to help shield gas drillers from lawsuits
The state Senate passed two bills to aid the oil and gas industry Tuesday.
One would dramatically scale back the ability of neighboring property owners to sue over noise, dust and light pollution, and one would allow drillers to begin building access roads and well pads without first getting a well permit.
The first bill, passed with an eye on the oil and gas industry, but with broader implications, would give businesses virtual immunity from private nuisance lawsuits, so long as they do not violate a law, regulation or the specific terms of their permit.
A property owner can file a nuisance lawsuit, generally against a neighbor, when their property has been harmed without someone physically entering the property, potentially by things like noise, smell or dust.
The bill passed by the Senate (SB 508) would make it much more difficult to bring such a suit. It passed 20-12, with two Democrats, Sen. Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, and Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, joining every Republican in support.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160223/wv-senate-passes-bill-to-help-shield-gas-drillers-from-lawsuits
The state Senate passed two bills to aid the oil and gas industry Tuesday.
One would dramatically scale back the ability of neighboring property owners to sue over noise, dust and light pollution, and one would allow drillers to begin building access roads and well pads without first getting a well permit.
The first bill, passed with an eye on the oil and gas industry, but with broader implications, would give businesses virtual immunity from private nuisance lawsuits, so long as they do not violate a law, regulation or the specific terms of their permit.
A property owner can file a nuisance lawsuit, generally against a neighbor, when their property has been harmed without someone physically entering the property, potentially by things like noise, smell or dust.
The bill passed by the Senate (SB 508) would make it much more difficult to bring such a suit. It passed 20-12, with two Democrats, Sen. Corey Palumbo, D-Kanawha, and Sen. Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, joining every Republican in support.
See more at: www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160223/wv-senate-passes-bill-to-help-shield-gas-drillers-from-lawsuits