November 30, 2012 – Decision in coalbed methane class-action suit not likely anytime soon
Posted: Friday, November 30, 2012 9:06 pm BY MICHAEL L. OWENS
“ABINGDON, Va. –– After nearly four hours of questioning lawyers on the wonky world of coalbed methane and class-action court procedure, U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Meade Sargent rested a chin on her hand, drew in a long breath and sighed.
“I don’t even want to think about, or try to comprehend, doing a case more difficult than this,” she said Friday afternoon.
It’s now up for her to decide whether five cases filed against energy companies CNX Gas and EQT Production for millions of dollars in royalties on natural gas siphoned from underneath Southwest Virginia can move forward as class action suits by more than a thousand land owners. Otherwise, the case might die in its tracks.
A decision will not likely come anytime soon, she said.”