October 10, 2013 – The Washington Post – Attorneys for Va. coalfields property owners press 2 energy companies on natural gas royalties

Attorneys for Va. coalfields property owners press 2 energy companies on natural gas royalties

By Associated Press, Updated: Thursday, October 10, 4:45 PM

RICHMOND, Va. — Attorneys for property owners in Virginia’s coalfields region who say they were cheated out of untold millions in royalty payments for natural gas drilled on their land are asking a federal judge to order two energy companies to show how much they drilled and reaped from the resource.

The request is contained in briefs seeking summary judgment in class-action lawsuits involving thousands of landowners. They want to free up nearly $30 million in disputed payments and what they say is much more in royalties they are owed because of overcharges and underpayments.