Condemnation lawyer offices are hard at work in southern Michigan as Enbridge Energy plans to replace one of its pipelines that runs through the area.
The pipeline that is being replaced is the same one that caused a major oil spill in Marshall about two years ago. Enbridge Energy representatives say the new pipeline will double the oil transportation capacities to refineries in Detroit, Toledo and Sarnia, Ontario.
In order to build the pipeline, the company says it needs additional easement next to the current 60 foot easement that runs through many people’s backyards. Enbridge says many people who own land along the pipeline route have signed contracts with the company. But Enbridge is taking people who refuse to sign contracts to court Michigan Radio reports.
A county judge heard arguments against more than a dozen landowners. Many locals gathered to fight against the energy giant and are saying the company is unfairly using eminent domain and condemnation laws, which were originally designed to help state governments build public projects.
"Enbridge has taken us to condemnation. Eminent domain is another word for it. And because we wouldn’t sign their contract as it was, they brought us to court to take the land."
More than four months have passed since Enbridge repaired sections of the current pipeline running through a resident’s backyard. But locals say Enbridge workers brought in lights and worked in their yard with heavy equipment day and night, causing inconvenient disturbances and loud noises for the in the family occupied neighborhood.
Some families say the work caused cracks in their foundation and caused other damage they say they have not been compensated for. Condemnation attorney experts have said many remain unsatisfied with the offers Enbridge made for their land for the new pipeline.
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