The oil and gas industry has reaped profits without ensuring there will be money to plug and clean up their wells. In Oklahoma, that work could cost more than $7 billion if it falls to the state.
They didn’t need to sell the mineral rights because they never owned them. They had people on their land, which they did own, and accepted payment instead of chasing them off. Probably even thought it was a good deal at the time. And that’s what I’ve been getting at this whole time. These people are quibbling over who owns what and who should compensate who instead of questioning the bigger issue of mining for hazardous resources immediately adjacent to food production. Nobody gives a shit about anyone down the line. Parents, landowners, oil companies, nobody.
They didn’t need to sell the mineral rights because they never owned them. They had people on their land, which they did own, and accepted payment instead of chasing them off. Probably even thought it was a good deal at the time. And that’s what I’ve been getting at this whole time. These people are quibbling over who owns what and who should compensate who instead of questioning the bigger issue of mining for hazardous resources immediately adjacent to food production. Nobody gives a shit about anyone down the line. Parents, landowners, oil companies, nobody.