New York State has its finger on the pause button for natural gas production.
But some local families aren't having to wait for the green light to team up with gas companies across the Twin Tiers to get the best deal.
Last week Christy Everitt received a check in the mail for more than half a million dollars.
"I don't think its entirely sunk in yet," she says.
Gas drilling remains on hold in New York State.
Meanwhile, Everitt and dozens of Broome County landowners part of the Friends Coalition, a Pennsylvania based group, each received their initial payments from their two and a half year old lease with Talisman Energy.
"The coalition is the only way to go in my opinion because it gives the land owners such strength," she says.
That strength landed Everitt's family and several landowners in Broome County a deal that promised $500 per acre up front; before the first drill hit the earth.
Plus $5,500 per acre once drilling became legal or in January of 2012, whichever came first.
With 117 acres and the state still undecided about natural gas production, the Everitt family cashed in this month.
Everitt says she plans to put that money into a retirement fund for she and her husband
She's confident this payout to her family and neighbors will serve as fuel for a hungry local economy.
"I'm sure some of those people are looking at a new car or maybe they went out to dinner that night so it's all circulating through the economy," she says.
The clock on Everitt's five year lease has now started ticking.
She hopes the state's moratorium will soon be lifted, allowing gas to flow through the veins of Empire State shale and put more money into the pockets of landowners.
"The biggest impact is when royalties come in," she says.
Producing wells will give them 20 percent in royalties and the hopes of a sustainable cash cow.
Twitter
Facebook