My specific forum interest is the issue of unfair compensation to landowners for underground natural gas storage. This issue has never been fairly addressed at both the federal and state levels. At the federal level, the FERC is using the 1938 gas act to illegally issue permits for underground storage. The gas act was written for pipelines only and not for underground storage. The FERC is allowing gas companies to take over private landowners' property for underground storage by eminent domain and illegal "Perpetual Leases." this is a violation of the 5th amendment.
My family's property is in Mississippi. My family was coerced by a gas company into signing a Perpetual Lease which allows the gas company to store natural gas under our property forever.
The Mississippi State Supreme court has spoken against perpetual leases, however, the state legislature has not passed legislation outlawing perpetual leases for underground natural gas storage. My research indicates that only two states (Mississippi and Vermont) don't have legislation outlawing perpetual leases. Legislation needs to be passed ASAP outlawing perpetual leases for underground natural gas storage.
The gas company that my family has a lease with made 84.7 million dollars on underground storage in 2012. My family received no compensation.
This is a nationwide issue. There are only about 400 locations in the continental U.S. that can be used for underground storage. In all 400 locations no landowners are being compensated for their extremely valuable resources. The issue of compensation needs to be addressed and corrected ASAP. Landowners should receive both retroactive and future compensation for underground storage under their property.