Transmission opposition: Eminent domain a last resort
“A new tool to address landowner opposition to transmission projects is being examined by the Center for Rural Affairs. The center’s report, Landowner Compensation in Transmission Siting for Renewable Energy Facilities, presents a new concept in landowner compensation, the Special Purpose Development Corporation (SPDC), and evaluates eminent domain and other procedures that can create conflict in the context of siting electrical transmission lines.
“Eminent domain must be seen as a last resort. The SPDC concept has real potential to provide a better deal for farmers, ranchers and other rural landowners,” said Rosalie Winn, Energy Fellow with the Center for Rural Affairs and author of the report. “By helping create a common interest in transmission development through market-based compensation and an emphasis on stakeholder participation, this new concept helps farmers and ranchers become full participants, true partners, with developers in renewable energy transmission projects.””
Lundin, Barbara Vergetis. Fierce Smart Grid 23 May 2014.