Vermont Gas moves ahead with eminent domain against holdouts
“Vermont Gas Systems said Tuesday it will exercise its eminent domain rights as soon as this week to secure a path for a natural gas pipeline extension through Addison County.
The natural gas utility said there are about 20 landowners who appear unwilling to sign easement agreements along the company’s 41-mile extension from Colchester to Middlebury, which is underway.
Company spokesman Steve Wark told a media roundtable at the company’s South Burlington headquarters that eminent domain is necessary to keep the project on track for completion by 2015.
The company is offering to pay for a third-party mediator to assist landowners in their negotiations during the eminent domain process, he said. State regulators would determine a price for the property if it is taken through the process of eminent domain.”
Herrick, John. Brattleboro Reformer 13 August 2014.