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Landowner group is only voice against pipeline TO THE EDITOR: Elba Express Pipeline (EEP) ROW agents are currently promising route changes in exchange for easement agreements. I doubt they will be able to keep ALL their promises. Landowners who sell easements at this point are taking a tremendous chance and virtually giving their land away. If the pipeline is stopped or moved, the pipeline company can retain the easements with the power to sell, lease, or assign to another entity for another purpose. It is in their contract. I urge those, who have so far resisted "quick" money, not to sign anything until LEEP [Landowners for Environmental and Economic Protection] has a legal resolution regarding its opposition to this pipeline. There are several motions for rehearing before FERC regarding this pipeline and all are stayed. LEEP's attorneys filed one of them. LEEP was the only group of private landowners who filed for intervener status, an important status that FERC mentioned in meetings/notifications, but most did not understand until after the time to fileexpired. The pipeline company has one stated goal…to increase profits $54,000,000 annually for two foreign private companies. LEEP has one stated goal…to protect the private property rights of landowners from this gross misuse of eminent domain. Consider the following: 1. The least expensive route is a straight one. Promises of following property lines, putting in angles for a landowner's convenience, listening to concerns, etc are going away with the wind if final approval is granted. The only angles will be the ones needed to circumvent impossible obstacles. Is this not common sense? 2. If FERC's ruling goes against landowners, LEEP intends to appeal in Federal Court. LEEP's experienced attorneys have methodically navigated through a timely structured FERC process allowing formal protest. Did FERC thoroughly explain this process to all involved? 3. Agreement language is vague. Do landowners realize they will pay taxes on the easement while the pipeline company only pays taxes on the three foot pipe? 4. The existing southern segment of EEP is scheduled to be expanded from a 36" pipe to a 42" pipe by burying the larger pipe parallel to the old pipe that is going to be left in the ground. Those landowners have to relinquish more temporary workspace and have absolutely no say in the matter since the pipeline company already has a permanent easement. Eventually pipelines have to be replaced. Could this be our future…two pipes instead of one? 5. The easement offers seem very low. Do the Math for the one time offer. How many years will it pay the property taxes? As a property and business owner,
support change for progress in Wilkes County. But this pipeline is simply passing through with no benefits or service to our county. hope every landowner has the courage to stand up and say enough is enough. This pipeline is purely for private (foreign) corporate profit at our expense. We need speak with one voice…LEEP is the only voice we have, and I financially support their effort. I hope more landowners will do the same.
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