Vermont Gas invokes eminent domain in pipeline expansion
“Vermont Gas intends to use eminent domain to secure four parcels of land along the route of its pipeline from Chittenden County south to Middlebury, according to filings with state regulators.
A Vermont Gas attorney on Aug. 19 filed with the Public Service Board its intent to condemn four properties along the pipeline route, three in Williston and one in St. George.
There are 220 landowners along the proposed pipeline route, according to Vermont Gas. The company has successfully negotiated land agreements with nearly 70 percent of the landowners and another 20 percent are progressing toward an agreement, the company says.
“While Vermont Gas has been reluctant to invoke its statutory powers of eminent domain, the broader public good to be served by the project and the time constraints involved inevitably have made the filing of some eminent domain actions necessary,” said an attorney for the company in the filing the Vermont Public Service Board.”
Herrick, John. THe Manachester Journal 9 September 2014.