Energy Environmental Blog

NY: Tax Decision

Written by Greg Russell | Jan 18, 2013 3:23:00 PM

The Elmira Star-Gazette is reporting on a New York trial court decision holding that land sales made for natural gas speculative reasons should not impact the taxable value of nearby lands:  "Attorney Robert Wedlake, who represents several area landowner groups, believes [the court's] decision could prompt a flood of similar property assessment disputes across the Tier, where thousands of landowners have signed leases in anticipation of the state’s decision on whether to allow hydrofracking in the gas-rich Marcellus Shale. *** 'It will be a valuable legal precedent for landowners who want to question their assessment and determine if it is unfair and too high as a result of the natural gas speculation,' Wedlake said."

Interesting.  Wonder if it will be upheld ...