City leaders take action to secure sewer service for Hoffpauir residents
“he council’s action sets the legal wheels in motion to acquire right-of-way access to provide sewer service to residents who say they’ve been overlooked for decades. Currently, Hoffpauir residents are using individual septic systems, but…
Eminent Domain’s Great Farmland Heist
“When TransCanada first approached Crawford’s father in 2008, and offered to pay about $7,000 for easement rights, he refused, telling the company, “We don’t want you here.” He said the corporation could reroute the line,…
Texas Property Rights Upheld in Pipeline Ruling
“Private property right advocates cheered an opinion issued Thursday by the Ninth Court of Appeals in Beaumont in a case involving wealthy East Texas landowner — and storied trial lawyer — Wayne Reaud, who challenged…
Ninth Court affirms eminent domain powers of TransCanada Keystone Pipeline
“A Texas appeals court has ruled that a Beaumont judge did not err when he granted a foreign company’s petition to condemn land for the construction of a crude oil pipeline. A group of Southeast…
Texas Farmers Lose Another Bid to Block Keystone Pipeline
“TransCanada Corp. (TRP) won another of the remaining Texas state-court challenges by landowners trying to block construction of the Keystone XL tar-sands pipeline across their property. A state appeals court in Beaumont, Texas, denied a…
Keystone XL, Through Transcanada, Uses Eminent Domain to Seize Texan’s Land
“TransCanada is an Alberta-based corporation that is building the controversial Keystone Pipeline that will carry bitumen–thicker, more corrosive and toxic, than crude oil–through 36-inch diameter pipes from the Alberta tar sands to refineries on the…
When landowner and pipeline can’t agree
“n the case of the 20-inch diameter BridgeTex crude oil pipeline which is planned to be constructed across the northeast corner of Milam County, Bruce Heine, Director Government and Media Affairs for Magellan Midstream Partners…
Pipeline Bills Moving This Session, But Maybe Not the Ones You Were Thinking
“The big questions about the future of pipelines in Texas this legislative session revolve around how companies should be able to use eminent domain to build them. Those questions remain unanswered. But while Texas lawmakers…
14-year eminent domain lawsuit yields $14 million payment
“It began more than a decade ago with a $3.5 million offer, but as this paper went to press the Austin City Council was poised to approve a $14.1 million payment that may end a…
Analysis: Pipelines can use eminent domain to take land
“Why does a private pipeline company have the power of eminent domain? Why can they take my land? These are questions that landowners may ask if confronted by a private company wanting to construct a…