Eminent domain being considered for gas pipeline

[Snake Alchemist]

LAPORTE, Pa. (AP) -- A pipeline operator assured federal regulators it would minimize using eminent domain against private landowners if given approval to lay a 39-mile natural gas pipeline in northern Pennsylvania's pristine Endless Mountains.

Yet the company was readying condemnation papers against dozens of landowners even as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission was considering its application for the $250 million MARC 1 pipeline. Within two days of winning approval, Central New York Oil & Gas Co., LLC went to court to condemn nearly half the properties along the pipeline's route — undercutting part of the regulatory commission's approval rationale and angering landowners who are now fighting the company in court.

Eminent domain would give the company the right to excavate and lay the 30-inch diameter pipeline on private property. Landowners would not lose their properties and would be compensated.

The dispute could foreshadow eminent domain battles to come as more pipelines are approved and built to carry shale gas to market in states like Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/landowners-fight-eminent-domain-pa-215039548.html

Government for hire.

[The Straight Story]

1. K&R(nt)

[cthulu2016]

2. Is Central New York Oil a state government now?

Does their pipeline deal grant them some sort of state standing re: eminent domain?

Sounds pretty weird.

[cthulu2016]

4. Aha! Answered my question

Reading the article helps.

"What rankles them (landowners) is that the federal government has invested the company with the power of eminent domain, taking away their bargaining power."

And here I thought I was already cynical enough...

This is probably standard stuff but it sounds nuts. The government empowers a corporation to condemn your property because the company wants to use it? On my planet the government has to go to court to demonstrate their need and cannot delegate that.

But here on Earth it appears things are done quite differently.

[Snake Alchemist]

5. I have never heard of anything like this.

Giving them the power to seize property if negotiations break down seems like a VERY bad idea.

[lpbk2713]

3. It wouldn't surprise me in the least ...

if they went out of their way to use ED proceedings on registered Dems property.

The corpo-rats are like that.

[rhett o rick]

6. Who wields the right of eminent domain? nm

[Snake Alchemist]

7. Central New York Oil & Gas Co., LLC. nt

[rhett o rick]

8. By what authority? nm

[Snake Alchemist]

9. Lobbyists. nt