Category Archives: transmission lines

Lege trend:No Eminent Domain for Transmission Lines Moves in Grain Belt. 3 Key Piece of Info. Read the Bill. Strategize Accordingly.

Which State Legislature passed this eminent domain ban through its house? Iowa

What does the eminent domain ban mean for transmission lines? to qualify for eminent domain, a transmission line developer would have to:

  • get in place right of way agreements with 75% of land owners
  • within 3 years 

Is this happening elsewhere? Yes, loyal subscribers will recall the same issues in Missouri and Arkansas with similar results

Utility Dive | Iowa House passes bill to toughen eminent domain…

Private Property Rights: Drone Registrations. 2 Texas Companies.

Which texas companies were certified under the new drone certification system in Texas? HUVRdata (Austin) & Aviation Unmanned (Addison)

What entity does the drone certification? Texas A&M University System via its Corpus Christi campus and its engineering extension service

How is industry using drones?  wind-power, oil and gas and transportation industries to provide aerial inspections and mapping, and for port and border security and coastline monitoring

Houston Chronicle | First…

Lege Trend: No Eminent Domain for Transmission Lines

What state is proposing an eminent domain ban for transmission lines? Missouri

Is this all transmission lines or just privately owned transmission lines?  The ban includes privately funded, long distance, Direct Current transmission lines.

Why this legislative response? 

  • Missouri Publiuc Service Commission denied eminent domain to a private transmission line that would traverse Missouri but not provide electic service in Missouri.
  • The power line project was opposed by land owners,…

Lege Trend: Senate Resolution to Block Eminent Domain Authority. 3 Keys Points Opposing Eminent Domain.

What state has a legislator trying to stop eminent domain authority? Illinois State Sen. Kyle McCarter  

What project does the IL State Senator want to stop? Grain Belt Express Clean Line power project

Why is he opposed to the clean power line using eminent domain? 

  • Because he supports the private property rights
  • Because the project offers no clean energy for Illinois
  • Because the eminent domain authority resides with a private company, held by private investors

Illinois Business…

Comptroller's Eminent Domain Data Base Getting Attention

Wharton area residents are reciving information on Comptroller Hegar’s legislative enacted Eminent Domain transperancy data base set to go online soon. 

Wharton Journal Spectator | New law promotes transparency for eminent domain

Comptroller Eminent Domain Transparency Project

2 Keys Why Farmers Oppose Eminent Domain by a Special District for Power Lines

  • blanket opposition to the use of eminent domain
  • opposition to eminent domain that adds a new layer of power lines as opposed to upgrading existing power lines
    • power lines increase farming costs by  $200 an acre per year
    • power lines increase the dangers of crop dusting

Where is this happening? California

What’s the special district using eminent domain? Sacramento Municipal Utility District

Why does this matter? The issue is the same in Texas for any private entity that needs to…

4 Reasons Midwestern Elected Officials Oppose Eminent Domain for Transmission Lines. Localizing Public Benefit.

State Rep. Grassley, grandson to US Senator Grassley, has 2 points to make to a clean energy line that wants to use eminent domain in Iowa:

  • The Iowa Utilities Board has told you 2 times that eminent domain cannot be separated from your permit application
  • If you don’t allow Iowans to plug in, you’re not a utility & therefore don’t deserve eminent domain powers
  • Missouri also denied your transmission line request (our numbers are growing)
  • We’re also watching your attempt to end run the…

Deadline to Report Eminent Domain Power Fast Approaching. 5 Things to Know About Eminent Domain Transparency.

  • Online eminent domain database was created by SB 1812 (Kolkhorst & Geren)
  • All entities with eminent domain authority, public & private, can begin reporting on December 7th. The Form will be here. 
  • Deadline for reporting is February 1, 2016.
  • Comptroller recommends that entities with eminent domain authority designate one officer or employee as point of contact for current eminent domain information
  • 10 Pieces of Information will be online:
    • the entity’s full legal name;
    • the…

Update to No Eminent Domain for Power Lines Legislative Trend. Counter Punch with Economic Boon.

To counter Arkansas’ Congressmen opposition to the Plains & Eastern Clean Line transmission line, which would run through Arkansas but not provide electricity in Arkansas, an economic study was released.

Who authored the economic study?  the Center for Business and Economic Research at UA’s Sam M. Walton College of Business

What economic boon for Arkansas did the report show?

  • 30 month construction period
    • $182 million in labor income
    • $664 in economic output
    • 693 indirect and…

Trend: Texas Groups Opposed to Eminent Domain by Private Entities. 3 Point Message with 3 Targets

The Texas Wildlife Association via the Hill Country Alliance raises the issue of private companies and eminent domain.

3 Points are stressed:

  • That eminent domain is traditionally only exercised by government officials
  • That eminent domain must have public accountability (elected officials only?)
  • That Texas grants too many entities eminent domain authority. Specifically:
    • gas or electric corporations
    • groundwater conservation districts
    • common carrier pipelines.

Hill Country Alliance…