Billions in gas drilling royalties transform lives

Fuel Fix ^ | January 28, 2013 | Associated Press

[thackney]

Private landowners are reaping billions of dollars in royalties each year from the boom in natural gas drilling, transforming lives and livelihoods even as the windfall provides only a modest boost to the broader economy.

In Pennsylvania alone, royalty payments could top $1.2 billion for 2012, according to an Associated Press analysis that looked at state tax information, production records and estimates from the National Association of Royalty Owners.

For some landowners, the unexpected royalties have made a big difference.

[Ken522]

The state tax collectors in PA are very happy!!

[Obadiah]

Are there any of the newly minted millionaires and billionaires Conservative? How about putting that money to good use for serious Conservative causes?

[Gasshog]

oh this is bad, very bad. Dear Reader wants us all blissfully equal (poor). this is very very bad indeed.

[KarlInOhio]

But Matt Damon and his paymasters in the United Arab Emirates told me that if I accepted drilling money my tap water would catch fire.

(Unfortunately I live too far to the west in Ohio for the recent shale discoveries)

[jiggyboy]

I just checked at rottentomatoes.com for the gross for that Matt Damon propaganda film “Promised Land”. It’s been out four weeks and it’s already fallen completely off the list of the top 50 movies. Looks like not too many people fell for it.

[TexasRedeye]

For some landowners, the unexpected royalties have made a big difference.

The $40.00/mo I get doesn't make a big difference but it will almost buy a couple of boxes of .45 FMJ for which I am happy!

[Wyatt's Torch]