CITIZEN POWER ALLIANCE

A new group has formed to help area landowners negotiate leases with natural gas companies.

Twin Tiers Landowners Coalition Inc. was recently founded by Mike White and Phil Knapp, two Addison landowners. The small business has hired two professional consultants, launched a Web site, and plans to open an office on Main Street in the village of Addison in about
a month. Informational meetings will be scheduled soon, White said.

The idea is to assemble as many acres of land as possible and negotiate as a group, helping secure better signing bonuses and royalty payments. Initially, the coalition will focus on Steuben County and Tioga County, Pa., and may expand to neighboring counties, White said.

“We’re growing daily, slowly right now, but we expect it to pick up,” White said.

The coalition’s two consultants are Gregory Sovas and Adam Shultz.

(Click to read the entire article)