Pennsylvania agrees to settle gas drilling royalties lawsuit

Trucks with the natural gas industry, some of the thousands that pass through the area daily, drive through the countryside on January 18, 2012 in Springville, Pennsylvania.
SPRINGVILLE, PA - JANUARY 18: Trucks with the natural gas industry, some of the thousands that pass through the area daily, drive through the countryside on January 18, 2012 in Springville, Pennsylvania. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, stimulates gas production by injecting wells with high volumes of chemical-laced water in order to free-up pockets of natural gas below. Photo credit Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvania has reached a settlement in a lawsuit against natural gas driller Chesapeake Energy Corp. for its handling of royalty payments to property owners. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Monday that landowners will get $5.3 million in restitution and improved royalty payments going forward. Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake filed for bankruptcy protection in Texas in June. A company spokesman says it's pleased to reach the deal. Depending on the type of lease they signed, affected Chesapeake lease holders will receive about $367 or about $700, as well as the ability to decide what sort of agreement they want to have with Chesapeake going forward.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images