Texas in the New York Times...again.
Eminent Domain Fight Has a Canadian Twist
Randy Thompson, a Nebraska landowner, is challenging the assumption by TransCanada that it can seize land for an oil pipeline.
By LESLIE KAUFMAN and DAN FROSCH
Published: October 17, 2011
A Canadian company has been threatening to confiscate private land from South Dakota to the Gulf of Mexico, and is already suing many who have refused to allow the Keystone XL pipeline on their property even though the controversial project has yet to receive federal approval.
Randy Thompson, a cattle buyer in Nebraska, was informed that if he did not grant pipeline access to 80 of the 400 acres left to him by his mother along the Platte River, "Keystone will use eminent domain to acquire the easement."
Sue Kelso and her large extended family in Oklahoma were sued in the local district court by TransCanada, the pipeline company, after she and her siblings refused to allow the pipeline to cross their pasture. "Their land agent told us the very first day she met with us, you either take the money or they're going to condemn the land," Mrs. Kelso said.
By its own count, the company currently has 34 eminent domain actions against landowners in Texas and an additional 22 in South Dakota.
“It was a hard decision whether I wanted to fight and spend all this money even though I could lose the thing,” Ms. Fairchild said in a weary drawl. “But somebody needs to fight them. I decided it would be me.”
That's scary. But it's nice to see that there's still people left who take principle over principal$. Like that fella on Carter Avenue last year. BTW, what was the ultimate outcome of that big time David v. Goliath fight?? According to my worn out Bible, little faithful David won the victory despite overwhelming odds and even despite the lack of support and confidence from his own people.
ReplyDeleteChesapeake last year. Canada this year. China next year?