Check out the most recent news related to eminent domain from around Texas.
High Speed Rail Project May Proceed With Application to Federal Agency, No Exemption Granted
Source: The Texan
Reversing a previous decision, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has declared its jurisdiction over Texas Central Railroad, but the railroad will be subject to full regulatory and financial scrutiny through the application process.
Texas Central may now apply to the STB in order to construct and operate a high-speed rail from Dallas to Houston; however, it will not be granted the application exemption it sought.
FERC pressed to comply with court remand on pipeline exports, eminent domain
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission came under renewed pressure to follow a September 2019 court ruling that required a better explanation of the commission’s treatment of exports of natural gas to justify market demand for pipelines.
The case, City of Oberlin v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, stemmed from a lawsuit by landowners and the city against NEXUS Gas Transmission LLC, the developer of a 1.5-Bcf/d natural gas pipeline project. The appeals court found the commission needed to supply a better explanation of its decision to credit agreements for gas export toward finding that a pipeline is required for public convenience and necessity, a finding essential to the grant of eminent domain authority that goes with the Natural Gas Act certificate.
Owner resists city plans for eminent domain to complete Bull Creek Greenbelt
Source: Austin Monitor
David Kahn, the owner of 11-plus acres of scenic property along Bull Creek in Northwest Austin, will be calling in today to oppose a proposed City Council decision to file eminent domain proceedings to acquire the land to complete the Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt.
Neighborhood advocates are expected to support the purchase, while people who philosophically object to the purchase may also call in to oppose the plan.
