Updated July 13, 2026
When a pipeline company asks a Pennsylvania landowner to sign a Meter Station Agreement, the request should be reviewed with extreme caution.
A meter station is not simply a buried pipeline. It is an above-ground facility that may involve buildings, equipment, fencing, access roads, valves, piping, meters, lights, communication equipment, utility lines, drainage facilities, security, maintenance activity, tax consequences, liability exposure, and long-term property restrictions.
A Meter Station Agreement may create a substantial and long-lasting burden on private property.
Before signing any Meter Station Agreement, Surface Use Agreement, Pipeline Agreement, Right-of-Way Agreement, Option Agreement, or related document, Pennsylvania landowners should understand what the facility is, what rights the company is requesting, whether the landowner can refuse, how compensation should be evaluated, and what protections should be negotiated.
What Is a Meter Station?
A natural gas meter station is an above-ground facility used to measure natural gas volume, flow, pressure, or related pipeline information.
Depending on the project, a meter station may also include equipment related to pressure regulation, pipeline operations, valves, pigging facilities, communications, utility service, fencing, and access.
A meter station may be located along a pipeline route, near a pipeline interconnection, near a delivery point, or at a location selected by the pipeline company for operational reasons.
From the company’s perspective, the facility may be necessary for pipeline operations.
From the landowner’s perspective, it may create a major surface burden.
A Meter Station Agreement Is Not Routine Paperwork
A company representative may describe the agreement as standard.
That does not mean it is acceptable.
A company-drafted Meter Station Agreement may grant broad rights involving:
- permanent facility placement;
- access roads;
- utility lines;
- communication lines;
- fencing;
- parking areas;
- maintenance access;
- expansion rights;
- future equipment;
- assignment rights;
- contractor entry;
- drainage facilities;
- lighting;
- and long-term use of the property.
The landowner should carefully review the entire agreement, including maps, exhibits, addenda, access language, release language, compensation terms, and future-use provisions.
Do Landowners Have to Accept a Meter Station?
In many situations, landowners may have the ability to refuse a meter station request.
The answer depends on the existing agreements, the type of project, the company’s authority, the pipeline route, and the rights being requested.
A landowner should not assume the company can place a meter station simply because a landman says it is necessary.
The first questions should be:
- Does any existing pipeline agreement authorize this facility?
- Does the oil and gas lease authorize this facility?
- Is the facility part of a new request?
- Is the company seeking rights beyond an existing easement?
- Does the company claim eminent domain authority?
- Has any formal process been started?
- What exactly is being requested?
If the landowner can refuse, that leverage is important.
Even if the landowner is willing to consider the facility, the agreement should be heavily negotiated.
Location Is Critical
The location of a meter station may be the most important issue.
A poorly located meter station can interfere with:
- homes;
- barns;
- driveways;
- fields;
- timber;
- hunting areas;
- recreational areas;
- future building sites;
- subdivision plans;
- road frontage;
- ponds;
- streams;
- wetlands;
- and general property value.
The agreement should include detailed maps and exhibits showing the exact location of:
- the facility site;
- fenced area;
- access roads;
- utility corridors;
- communication lines;
- pipeline connections;
- temporary work areas;
- drainage structures;
- and any related facilities.
The company should not have broad discretion to move, expand, or reconfigure the facility without written consent and additional compensation.
Acreage and Boundaries Should Be Clearly Defined
A meter station may affect more land than the equipment footprint.
The landowner should evaluate the full area affected, including:
- the meter station site;
- fencing;
- access roads;
- turnaround areas;
- parking areas;
- temporary workspace;
- utility corridors;
- pipeline tie-ins;
- sight-distance areas;
- drainage features;
- and possible expansion areas.
The agreement should clearly define the acreage and boundaries.
The company should not be allowed to use whatever land it later claims is reasonably necessary.
Compensation Should Reflect the Full Burden
Compensation for a meter station should reflect the full property burden.
The landowner should consider:
- acreage occupied;
- permanent loss of use;
- access road impacts;
- visual impact;
- lighting;
- fencing;
- maintenance activity;
- tax consequences;
- liability exposure;
- future development limitations;
- effect on property value;
- possible future expansion;
- and the burden on future owners.
A meter station is not the same as a simple pipeline crossing.
Because the facility may remain for many years, the landowner should consider whether compensation should include:
- an upfront payment;
- annual payments;
- renewal payments;
- additional compensation for expansion;
- separate compensation for access roads;
- separate compensation for utility lines;
- and future payments if the facility is modified or enlarged.
A one-time payment may not fully reflect the long-term burden.
Tax Consequences Must Be Addressed
Meter stations may create property tax concerns.
If the property is enrolled in Clean and Green or another preferential assessment program, the landowner should determine whether the facility, access road, fencing, utilities, or related surface use could trigger rollback taxes, penalties, interest, or assessment changes.
The agreement should require the company to pay all tax consequences caused by the meter station and related activities.
Landowners should not rely on verbal statements that taxes will not be affected.
Tax protection should be written directly into the agreement.
Above-Ground Facilities and Visual Impact
A meter station may include visible equipment, fencing, signs, structures, lighting, piping, valves, communication equipment, and gravel areas.
These features can affect the appearance and use of the property.
The agreement should address:
- the size of the facility;
- the height of structures;
- fencing type;
- equipment layout;
- lighting;
- screening;
- landscaping;
- signage;
- and whether additional structures may be added later.
If visual impact matters, it should be addressed in writing.
Access Roads and Maintenance Entry
Meter stations require long-term access.
The company may need access for construction, inspections, maintenance, repairs, emergency response, equipment replacement, and future operations.
The agreement should define:
- access road location;
- road width;
- construction standards;
- maintenance obligations;
- drainage requirements;
- gate and lock issues;
- speed limits;
- dust control;
- snow removal if relevant;
- and repair of damage.
The company should not receive broad access over unrelated portions of the property.
Access should be limited to defined routes whenever possible.
Utility Lines and Communication Equipment
Meter stations often require electric service, communication lines, control equipment, antennas, fiber, or other utility connections.
Those rights may burden additional portions of the property.
The agreement should identify:
- what utility lines are allowed;
- where they may be located;
- whether they are above ground or buried;
- who installs and maintains them;
- whether separate easements are created;
- whether additional compensation is owed;
- and what happens when they are no longer needed.
Utility and communication rights should not be hidden inside broad facility language.
Noise, Lighting, and Operational Issues
Some meter stations may be relatively quiet. Others may involve equipment or activity that creates noise, lighting, maintenance traffic, or other operational concerns.
The agreement should address:
- lighting direction;
- continuous lighting;
- maintenance hours where negotiable;
- noise concerns;
- emergency access;
- equipment replacement;
- contractor activity;
- and notice before non-emergency work.
Landowners should not rely on informal assurances that the facility will not be disruptive.
Future Expansion Rights Should Be Limited
A Meter Station Agreement may contain language allowing future equipment, facility expansion, additional piping, added valves, additional utility lines, or new operational uses.
Landowners should be cautious.
Future expansion should require:
- written notice;
- updated maps;
- landowner consent where appropriate;
- additional compensation;
- updated insurance;
- updated indemnification;
- updated tax protection;
- and additional property protections.
A landowner should not give the company an open-ended right to enlarge the facility.
No Additional Facilities Without Consent
A meter station agreement should not become a general authorization for any above-ground facility the company may want later.
The agreement should prohibit additional facilities unless specifically approved, including:
- compressor equipment;
- pig launchers;
- pig receivers;
- additional valves;
- storage yards;
- staging areas;
- electric substations;
- communication towers;
- additional pipeline connections;
- or unrelated third-party equipment.
If the company wants additional rights, those rights should be separately negotiated.
Liability and Indemnification Are Essential
A meter station creates liability concerns.
Potential claims may involve:
- contractors;
- employees;
- visitors;
- trespassers;
- equipment failures;
- environmental incidents;
- road damage;
- neighboring property claims;
- utility issues;
- accidents;
- and operational activity.
The agreement should include strong indemnification language requiring the company to protect the landowner from claims, damages, injuries, losses, environmental issues, and expenses arising from the facility and related activities.
The landowner should not bear responsibility for a facility controlled by the company.
Insurance Requirements Should Be Specific
Indemnification should be supported by insurance.
The agreement should require the company and its contractors to maintain appropriate insurance.
The landowner should consider whether the agreement should require:
- proof of insurance;
- minimum coverage limits;
- additional insured status;
- environmental coverage where appropriate;
- and continuous coverage during the full term of the agreement.
Insurance language should not be vague.
Environmental and Drainage Protections
Meter station construction and operations may affect drainage, erosion, stormwater, soil conditions, and surrounding property.
The agreement should address:
- drainage design;
- stormwater controls;
- erosion repair;
- sediment control;
- spill response;
- cleanup obligations;
- waste removal;
- equipment maintenance areas;
- and responsibility for environmental claims.
The company should be responsible for all environmental and drainage issues caused by the facility.
Duration, Termination, and Abandonment
A Meter Station Agreement should clearly define how long the company’s rights last.
Important questions include:
- Is the agreement permanent?
- Is it for a fixed term?
- Can the company renew?
- What happens if the facility is not built?
- What happens if the facility is no longer used?
- When must equipment be removed?
- When must the property be restored?
- Will the company record a release?
Unused meter station rights should not burden the property indefinitely.
Reclamation and Removal
If the meter station is removed or abandoned, the agreement should require full reclamation.
Reclamation may include:
- removal of buildings;
- removal of equipment;
- removal of fencing;
- removal of foundations;
- removal of gravel or stone if required;
- removal of utility lines where appropriate;
- road restoration;
- grading;
- topsoil replacement;
- drainage repair;
- reseeding;
- erosion control;
- and restoration of disturbed areas.
The agreement should state when reclamation must occur and what standard applies.
Assignment Rights Matter
The agreement should address whether the company may assign the meter station rights to another company, affiliate, purchaser, operator, or successor.
If assignment is permitted, the agreement should require that all landowner protections remain binding.
The original company should not be allowed to transfer the agreement in a way that weakens the landowner’s position.
Do Not Sign a Broad Release
Some agreements may include release language, waiver language, or acknowledgment language that limits future claims.
A landowner should be very cautious before signing any document that releases claims involving:
- construction damage;
- future operations;
- taxes;
- environmental issues;
- noise;
- drainage;
- property damage;
- personal injury;
- contractors;
- affiliates;
- or future expansion.
A release should not be included casually in a meter station agreement.
Verbal Promises Are Not Enough
A company representative may say:
- “It will be small.”
- “You will barely notice it.”
- “It will not affect taxes.”
- “There will not be much traffic.”
- “We will take care of all damage.”
- “We will not expand it.”
- “This is just standard language.”
- “You do not need changes.”
If those issues matter, they should be written into the agreement.
The written document controls.
Questions Pennsylvania Landowners Should Ask Before Signing
Before signing a Meter Station Agreement, landowners should ask:
- Does the company already have the right to install the meter station?
- Can the landowner refuse?
- Where exactly will the facility be located?
- How much acreage will be affected?
- Are maps and exhibits attached?
- What buildings, equipment, fencing, lights, and signs are allowed?
- Are access roads included?
- Are utility lines and communication equipment included?
- What compensation is being paid?
- Should annual payments be required?
- Are tax consequences addressed?
- Are future expansion rights limited?
- Are additional facilities prohibited?
- What insurance is required?
- Does the company indemnify the landowner?
- Are environmental and drainage protections included?
- What happens if the facility is no longer used?
- What reclamation obligations apply?
These questions should be answered before signing.
Speak With a Pennsylvania Meter Station Agreement Attorney Before Signing
A Meter Station Agreement can create a substantial long-term burden on Pennsylvania property. The agreement may affect compensation, taxes, liability, access, future development, visual impact, facility expansion, environmental protection, and long-term property value.
At The Clark Law Firm, PC, Attorney Doug Clark represents Pennsylvania landowners and gas-rights holders only. He does not represent pipeline companies.
If a pipeline company, gas company, landman, or representative has asked you to sign a Meter Station Agreement, Surface Use Agreement, Pipeline Agreement, Option Agreement, Right-of-Way Agreement, or related document, contact PipelineAttorney.com before signing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Meter Station Agreements
What is a Meter Station Agreement?
A Meter Station Agreement gives a pipeline or gas company rights to construct, operate, maintain, and access a natural gas meter station or related above-ground facility on private property.
Can a landowner refuse a meter station?
In many situations, a landowner may be able to refuse or heavily negotiate a meter station request, depending on existing agreements, project authority, and the rights requested.
Should compensation include annual payments?
Landowners should consider whether long-term facility rights justify annual payments, renewal payments, or additional compensation for expansion, access roads, and utility lines.
Can a meter station affect property taxes?
It may. The agreement should address Clean and Green, rollback taxes, assessment changes, penalties, interest, and other tax consequences caused by the facility.
Can future expansion be limited?
Yes. Future expansion rights should be clearly limited and should require updated maps, additional compensation, insurance, indemnification, and property protections.
