In Face of Eminent Domain, Residents Stand Firm Against Enbridge Southern Access Project

Builders of a proposed pipeline that could carry Canadian crude oil to Flanagan and on to a facility in Patoka have asked the state for permission to exercise eminent domain on portions of 148 land tracts it claims it needs for the project.

The petition filed Tuesday with the Illinois Commerce Commission seeks permission to secure easements on properties owned by people who have not reached agreements with Enbridge Inc. The company plans to build a 170-mile pipeline that will cross through eight Illinois counties.

Enbridge put the project, known as the Southern Access Extension Project, on hold in 2009, citing poor economic conditions.

The ICC approved the pipeline in 2009 but did not give the company the power to use eminent domain to obtain the easements at fair market value from owners who refused to let Enbridge cross their land.

Full story here.

If you think you may be affected by the Enbridge Southern Access project and/or are interested in a free consultation, contact our eminent domain landowner attorneys at 1-888-318-3761 or visit us on the web at www.landownerattorneys.com.