How the Palmetto State Frames No Eminent Domain for Private Gain

What’s happening in South Carolina? The South Carolina Legislature is headed to restrict or limit eminent domain for pipelines.

This is how the Republican Chairman of the Substantive Committee is framing the issue:

• “Regardless of what we do with eminent domain” (a ban or harder regulator standards)
• “the pipeline companies can still negotiate with landowners”
• “to purchase an easement or right of way, or buy the property outright” (pipelines have options)
• “We are talking about private, for-profit, unregulated companies having the power of government to take or force easement on the landowners.”
• “I don’t support keeping pipelines out of the state, but this should create a level playing field,”

The South Carolina balancing test being reflected in other states:  We want pipelines/transmission lines/name your priavet entity eminent domain But we need a level field for private property rights.

Augusta Chronicle | SC lawmakers consider future of eminent domain, pipelines