Ohio landowners faced relentless pressure and legal mandates to accept fracking on their properties, a study from Binghamton University reveals.
Saul Elbein reports for The Hill.
In short:
- Many Ohio residents were compelled by state laws to allow fracking on their land.
- Companies used aggressive sales tactics, including repeated visits and phone calls, to secure leases.
- Legal provisions like “compulsory unitization” were often used to override landowner consent.
Key quote:
“We also find that many negotiations end in compulsion rather than in consent.”
— Study authors
Why this matters:
Fracking's widespread use of compulsory legal measures undermines property rights. As drilling technology evolves, current laws may need reform to protect landowners.
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