Oil and Gas at Your Door? (2005 Edition) - Earthworks

involved in a private property issue,” said Mr. Lance. (Billings Gazette, February 22, 2005)
The problem with that solution is that it isn’t a “private party” issue. If the parties fail to come to
an agreement it becomes a State issue with the seismic company using State eminent domain
laws to condemn private property and permit seismic testing to go forward. At that point the
landowner is right back where he started with the risk of becoming uninsurable.
Furthermore, the issue is much more far-reaching than an agreement between a landowner and
a seismic company in Clark, Wyoming. It affects similarly situated landowner’s throughout the
State and possibly throughout the U.S. It affects lenders who hold the mortgages on such property
and have insurance requirements that must be met by the borrower. It affects the ability of
insurers to write insurance in Wyoming and other states where explosive seismic activity is
involved.
One has to ask has this administration become so unconscionable when it comes to oil and gas
development that they would not only allow, but support development in subdivisions, next to
schools, alongside churches, and in people’s front yards? Better yet, has the quest for development
become so outrageous that the State would allow people’s land to be condemned if they do
not agree to allow seismic activity in order to maintain their homeowners insurance?
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