Land disputes involving the Trans-Pecos Pipeline have made their way to district court.
At least 12 eminent domain lawsuits have been filed in Brewster and Presidio counties by the company behind the planned 143-mile, 42-inch natural gas pipeline.
Under eminent domain, the government can seize private land for public use, provided the property owner is compensated at “fair market value,” explained Steve Anderson, an Alpine-based attorney and member of the Big Bend Conservation Alliance (BBCA).
However, he questioned the validity of the pending eminent domain petitions, as well as the “public good” touted by pipeline developers at Energy Transfer Partners, LLC.
“[I feel] the only purpose for [constructing the Trans-Pecos Pipeline] was to sell natural gas to Mexico,” Anderson said. “No one has ever attempted to use eminent domain to build a pipeline across Texas that is not going to give any petroleum product to any Texans.” …Read more from News West 9