Post by pavel on Feb 8, 2016 23:28:48 GMT -6
COLUMBIA — Pointing to an eminent domain conflict over a rail terminal in North Carolina, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce is warning against the effects of legislation that would bar pipeline giant Kinder Morgan from condemning private property against the wishes of landowners.
On Tuesday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill intended to pre-empt any ability the company has to force property owners to accept the sale of their land. Under the bill, the use of eminent domain would be off limits for a private, for-profit pipeline company, including a publicly traded for-profit company that isn’t classified as a public utility.
Though the Savannah Riverkeeper and other conservation advocates hailed the proposal last week, South Carolina’s business leaders are urging caution.
“We feel this amendment is shortsighted and sets a precedent that could have unintended consequences,” Ted Pitts, the president and CEO of the South Carolina chamber, said in a statement. “Today this negative attention may be directed at one specific industry, but look no further than our neighbors in North Carolina to see that it can filter over into other areas of commerce and infrastructure.”
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-02-08/sc-chamber-commerce-warns-against-eminent-domain-measure?v=1454976340
On Tuesday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill intended to pre-empt any ability the company has to force property owners to accept the sale of their land. Under the bill, the use of eminent domain would be off limits for a private, for-profit pipeline company, including a publicly traded for-profit company that isn’t classified as a public utility.
Though the Savannah Riverkeeper and other conservation advocates hailed the proposal last week, South Carolina’s business leaders are urging caution.
“We feel this amendment is shortsighted and sets a precedent that could have unintended consequences,” Ted Pitts, the president and CEO of the South Carolina chamber, said in a statement. “Today this negative attention may be directed at one specific industry, but look no further than our neighbors in North Carolina to see that it can filter over into other areas of commerce and infrastructure.”
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-02-08/sc-chamber-commerce-warns-against-eminent-domain-measure?v=1454976340