Close vote passes pipeline bill to House floor
“The House Judiciary Committee late Thursday gave narrow approval to a bill to grant eminent domain authority to petroleum pipeline companies when they seek rights of way for building pipelines. But the 6-5 vote was much closer than the numbers would indicate; three of the “yes” votes came from members who said they would support the bill “for now,” meaning the bill will be in for changes when it comes to the House floor for debate.
Senate Bill 14-093 and its 2013 predecessors have gone through three different committees in the House and/or Senate in the past two sessions: Agriculture, Local Government and on Thursday, Judiciary. Each committee has looked at the bill from different perspectives.
The Judiciary committee looked at SB 93 on the eminent domain issue, but members also raised concerns that most Colorado counties appear to lack any kind of process for approving pipeline locations, or siting.
Changes to SB 93 will likely touch on the local control issue. During committee testimony, member Rep. Mike McLachlan (D-Durango) noted that his home county, LaPlata, has an extensive review process for pipeline siting. Adams County Commissioner Charles “Chaz” Tedesco, whose board does not support SB 93, testified that his county also has a review process for pipeline siting.”
Goodland, Marianne. Journal Advocate 15 March 2014.