Rover Pipeline LLC made its initial application to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission early this year and will make its final submission in early 2016. Under federal policy for natural gas that is transported for sale across state lines, the pipeline that transports the gas is governed by the Natural Gas Act 1938. According to the NGA, once the FERC issues a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the construction of a pipeline, the pipeline company is authorized to use eminent domain to obtain necessary easements.
Federal approval of the Rover Pipeline is likely within the coming year.
The pipeline will cross Ohio from the eastern portion of Ohio to northwestern Fulton County. Landowners affected by the pipeline will be asked to grant easements across their property for the purpose of constructing the pipeline. Landowners who do not reach an agreement with Rover Pipeline LLC may be subject to eminent domain. At this time, all landowners who will be affected by the pipeline have been contacted by Rover or its agents and the property owners should have received the pipeline company’s initial offer.
Rover’s initial offers to the property owners is reported to be quite low.
According to Rover’s website, construction is anticipated to begin as early as January 2016.
If you are a property owner and you have received notification from Rover Pipeline LLC that it intends to cross your property with the planned pipeline, you need to be aware of your rights. Contact the Ohio eminent domain attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List.