Wild & Wonderful West Virginia is an asset worthy of protection

From GREEN, Volume 30 Issue 17, WVEC, December 13, 2020

Thank you for being a GREEN reader and for joining us on this wild journey that was 2020.

As we gear up for 2021, and the legislative session that is right around the corner, we hope that you will consider a year-end gift to help fund our lobbying efforts next year. Please go here to donate safely and securely online. Or please mail your contribution to: WVEC, PO Box 1007, Charleston, WV 25324.

We just received word that E-Day, along with similar events at the Capitol, has been cancelled for 2021. While this is disappointing news, we will find a virtual alternative so we can make our voices heard and hopefully have some fun. Stay tuned!

On behalf of the WVEC board of directors, I want to express our gratitude for your support over the past year. While it has been a challenge in many ways, knowing that we have each other is truly a blessing and a comfort.

Best wishes to you for a safe and happy holiday season!

Linda Frame, WVEC President

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2021 West Virginia legislative session – Ballotpedia

In 2021, the West Virginia State Legislature is scheduled to convene on February 10 and adjourn on April 10.

The legislators serving in this session took office following the 2020 elections. Republicans won a 23-11 majority in the Senate and a 76-24 majority in the House. The party also controlled the governorship, creating a Republican state government trifecta. At the start of the 2021 session, West Virginia is one of 22 state legislatures where one party had a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers.

The West Virginia State Legislature is responsible for redistricting following each census. Legislators are expected to address redistricting as part of the 2021 legislative session. As of the 2020 Census, West Virginia was one of 37 states where legislators were responsible for redistricting.

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See also: In the middle of a pandemic, WV legislative staffers are preparing for the 2021 session | Lacie Pierson, WV News, December 13, 2020

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia legislative staff is trying to figure out how to keep 134 lawmakers a safe distance apart at the state Capitol when they come together for the 2021 regular session in February.

Senate and House of Delegates leaders and staff have taken meetings with public health and security officials to determine if and how they can pull off a legislative session during the coronavirus pandemic while upholding the constitutional and procedural obligations each lawmaker must follow.

So far, there aren’t any plans to delay the session, but the option hasn’t been ruled out, said House Clerk Steve Harrison and Senate Clerk Lee Cassis, both of whom are in charge of coordinating whatever technical, physical or other changes need to happen to accommodate lawmakers.

Even with rough plans in place, members of the Senate and House will have to determine how they want the session to work and, potentially, vote on changing some rules to accommodate public health guidelines before some things can be implemented.

If they do vote on such changes, Cassis and Harrison said, they most likely would take place on Jan. 13, when the Legislature convenes for an organization day. Since this 2020 is a gubernatorial election year, the 2021 legislative session won’t begin until Feb. 10.

WV State Capitol, Charleston

WV Surface Owners’ Rights Organization

Surface Owners’ News – Winter 2017

Dear SORO Members and Friends,

We know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. As the 2017 legislative session gets underway, we wanted to let you know what we’ve been up to and what we’ll be focusing on for the next 60 days.

The annual Sixty Day Legislative Session starts today (February 8^th) and ends on Saturday, April 8^th and usually goes on to midnight on that date.

We recently updated our website and have switched to a new email system to help us communicate with our members more effectively. We hope you approve. Please reply with comments or feedback.

Thanks for your continued support!  Julie Archer, SORO, Charleston, WV

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WV-SORO 2017 Legislative Priorities

WV-SORO will again be pushing for legislation to have the property rights of surface owners recognized and respected, to increase their chances of owning some of the minerals under them, and to deal with orphaned wells and other environmental problems. We will also be actively opposing legislation the industry introduces (out of its sense of entitlement) that will harm the interests of surface owners.
Tagged: Abandoned wells, Fence-line monitoring, Land re-union, Orphaned wells, Pollution

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Zombie Bills? Bad Bills to Aid Drillers Could Be Back in 2017

Several bad bills that help oil and gas drillers at the expense of West Virginia landowners could be back during the 2017 legislative session. These include efforts to take away citizens ability to bring nuisance suits, give pipeline companies the right to survey people’s land without their permission, and one-sided forced pooling bills (AKA joint development).
Tagged: Eminent domain, Nuisance suits, Pipelines, Pooling

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In Court: WV-SORO Litigation Update

Here is a brief update on some court cases we’ve been involved in or monitoring that affect West Virginia surface owners. Because one-third of WV-SORO members also own an interest in their underlying minerals, so we are including updates on cases that affect some mineral owners.
Tagged: Coal bed methane, Eminent domain, Leasing, Minerals-Royalties, Partition suits, Pipelines

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Court Approves Drilling Waste Settlement with EPA

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia formally approved a consent decree between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a coalition of community and environmental organizations. which requires the agency to review and, if necessary, revise its rules for the disposal and handling of dangerous and harmful oil and gas wastes, such as those that result from drilling and fracking.
Tagged: Drillilng waste, EPA, Fracking, Pollution

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West Virginia Surface Owners’ Rights Organization

1500 Dixie Street, Charleston, West Virginia 25311
View Newsletter Online 304-346-5891 Join WV SORO