When landowner and pipeline can’t agree
“n the case of the 20-inch diameter BridgeTex crude oil pipeline which is planned to be constructed across the northeast corner of Milam County, Bruce Heine, Director Government and Media Affairs for Magellan Midstream Partners LP (the operator of the pipeline company), said, “Eminent domain is used as a last resort when the pipeline operator and landowner cannot agree on the commercial terms of the easement. At this time, we have not filed any eminent domain actions in Falls and Milam counties. Magellan and its representatives use reasonable efforts to enter into easements without the use of eminent domain.”
Bill Peacock of the Texas Public Policy Foundation argues that, “There’s no such thing as a voluntary agreement with a company or government that has the power to take your property.””
Chubb, Curtis. The Cameron Herald 17 May 2013.