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Fracking Wells Forced on Many US Landowners, Study Finds

Summary

A recent study published in *Nature Energy* reveals that many Ohio landowners were compelled by state law to accept fracking wells on their properties, often against their will. The research highlights the aggressive tactics used by "landmen" to secure drilling leases, including persistent contact and legal measures like "compulsory unitization," which forces landowners to allow drilling if a majority of their neighbors consent. The study suggests that these practices, while legal, raise ethical concerns, particularly as fracking's broader environmental impacts differ from traditional drilling. The authors argue for updated laws to reflect these challenges.

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