Legislature should step back from eminent domain bill
“The oil spill in Mayflower does confirm my concern with gas and oil pipelines and the need to ensure that the appropriate studies are completed and the right level of oversight is in place. Obviously there will need to be lots of questions answered by ExxonMobil and the regulators with this recent spill.
Last year Sen. Jason Rapert called an urgent meeting of the Fayetteville Shale Caucus to take a vote on two resolutions. One of those was a resolution to call for President Obama to immediately approve the Keystone Pipeline project, even over the objections of the residents of Nebraska. I asked Sen. Rapert to consider an alternative resolution to ask for expedited review, but not overlook environmental concerns, especially those in Nebraska. Sen. Rapert refused to even allow my alternative to be heard in committee. (I do have unedited video of this meeting).
Now Sen. Rapert has a bill that he is supporting that directly relates to this. HB1042 (www.arkleg.state.ar.us) will enable oil companies to acquire land for pipelines through eminent domain. That is, an oil company can take your land for a pipeline without your approval.”
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Tyler, Linda. The Cabin.net 5 April 2013