It is always illumninating to have a theorist pontificate about eminent domain. Those who have had skin-in-the game with eminent domain in real life understand it is a sobering experience.
It amounts to legal theft under the badge of government. Private property owners who face this threat find out they are not standing on a level playing field legally, economically or politically.
The power of eminent domain brings with it a sense of entitlement. At that point, property owners are merely an obstacle to be swept aside - when, in fact, they possess the key asset coveted by government and the corporation.
Among other lessons, there is a lot of play in the "just" of "just compensation."
More eminent domain is taking place across the country, and much of it is driven by the energy industry nowadays. Property owners I've talked with in New York, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Texas and elsewhere are heroes fighting for a basic right.
And property owners can fight back. Our two-year battle against Houston-based Spectra Energy which seized our property rights for an underground gas storage field led to the development of a website which has begun to attract whistle blowers inside the energy industry.
We are collaborating and helping property owners in many states. For info, visit the site: http://www.spectraenergywatch.com/blog/
By the way, our new neighbor, Spectra Energy, has received two Notice of Violations for "unlawful conduct" related to emergency shutdowns and emissions at its storage field in Bedford County, PA. Reports of contaminated water supplies are on the rise since they began operations.
Like Kelo, the ripple effects of eminent domain are never over.
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It is always illumninating to have a theorist pontificate about eminent domain. Those who have had skin-in-the game with eminent domain in real life understand it is a sobering experience.
It amounts to legal theft under the badge of government. Private property owners who face this threat find out they are not standing on a level playing field legally, economically or politically.
The power of eminent domain brings with it a sense of entitlement. At that point, property owners are merely an obstacle to be swept aside - when, in fact, they possess the key asset coveted by government and the corporation.
Among other lessons, there is a lot of play in the "just" of "just compensation."
More eminent domain is taking place across the country, and much of it is driven by the energy industry nowadays. Property owners I've talked with in New York, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Texas and elsewhere are heroes fighting for a basic right.
And property owners can fight back. Our two-year battle against Houston-based Spectra Energy which seized our property rights for an underground gas storage field led to the development of a website which has begun to attract whistle blowers inside the energy industry.
We are collaborating and helping property owners in many states. For info, visit the site: http://www.spectraenergywatch.com/blog/
By the way, our new neighbor, Spectra Energy, has received two Notice of Violations for "unlawful conduct" related to emergency shutdowns and emissions at its storage field in Bedford County, PA. Reports of contaminated water supplies are on the rise since they began operations.
Like Kelo, the ripple effects of eminent domain are never over.