Eminent-domain fight creates an odd alliance
“State representatives plan to consider a bill today to allow oil companies to use eminent domain to obtain land for pipelines – a power the state Supreme Court took away in a 2012 decision that hinged on the punctuation of a state law.
But sponsors who had hoped for a simple clarification of the law to aid oil companies have found themselves embroiled in a fight with an odd alliance of tea party conservatives and environmentalists who don’t want to give eminent-domain powers to private companies.
Rep. Mike McLachlan, D-Durango, sits on the House Judiciary Committee, which will hear Senate Bill 93 this afternoon.
“I’m going to support the bill, but I’m going to make sure the eminent-domain process is fairly applied and not used as a battering ram by the oil and gas industry,” McLachlan said.”
Hanel, Joe. Durango Herald 12 March 2014.