Gas Company wants to install pipeline under my land; Please help!

[Tim Stuart]

I have also been through this a couple years ago. The pipeline company played games for about 12 months than changed their minds and routed the pipeline about 200 yards off of my property. They had offered me 10 k for about 550 foot by 45 easement of open pasture ( no trees) I already had 1 line crossing my place so it would not have been a major issue to have the second pipeline, but after their games the can stay off my land period. They will never cross my land to get to there pipeline again, they will have to access it from the ends of the line about a mile in either direction crossing creeks coming from either way.

 

[whistlepig]

They took me to the wire on the road easement and subpoenaed me to court. The lawyer told me to ride it out and he would go to court with me. Three days before the hearing they called and settled out of court. We're talking several of thousands of dollars difference here. And why wouldn't they do this? It cost's them no money for the full time city lawyer and only the effort of a phone call. I was considered the path of least resistance to them. If you don't believe there are politics involved in power right-of-ways take a drive in the country and look where the high tension towers are built and how they take a sharp turn for no apparent reason.

 

[YanmarFever]

Not in a million years would I say yes to them.

I lived with one for 11 years in our backyard, anytime I did any back yard burning, they were there, or on the phone to me.
Also strangers all over my yard at least 2x a month checking things out.
Im not even going to talk about the airplane buzzing my yard 3x a week, then there was the earthquake.....

Unless you like people snooping around your place, tell them NOOOO !!!

 

[MarkV]

The new proposed location is (according to him) 30' wide and it will run the entire length of our land; approx 1200'. It will be parrallel with the road (parrallel with the other guys land; but on our side of the Road). It will be approx 50' feet on to our land from the road.

That location would pretty much eliminate the possibility of ever selling any road frontage property for housing.

MarkV

 

[RoyJackson]

Don't assume they don't have imminent domain.

It's Eminent Domain, BTW...

This can be fought, if you wish. Eminent Domain can only be brought about if the project is "for the public good". That doesn't mean more money for a company's stockholders.
Now, a school, road...things like that, you won't beat them.
If you are deadset against this, get with your neighbors. A class action suit will spread the legals costs and can result in enough bad PR (for the pipeline company) that they'll reroute the line.

We had a gas pipeline (Spectra Energy) pass through a piece of our property. Since it was on an existing ROW (powerlines), we weren't too concerned and sold the rights. Ask for as much money per acre as you can...definitely don't take their first (low ball) offer!

If you intend to farm the land, determine what is allowable after the pipeline is installed (you may lose use of the property).

And...always remember: VERBAL MEANS NOTHING IN A COURT OF LAW. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION, SEND THEM AWAY TO GET IT!!

 

[dodge man]

First off, it sounds like the gas line will run beside the existing roadway, which will impact your property the least. Its when it runs in the middle of your property that is has a vast impact on your property. The question is, is this a large high pressure gas line, and how close is your house to it?

I work as a land surveyor and have written hundereds of easements over the years, although I am rarely the one that gets them signed. I hate to hear all the negative comments on easements. Many of the projects I work on are for local benifit, such as water lines and sewers and roads. When the project is for local benifit, people will usually sign.

This sounds like a larger national pipeline company. You have to decide if it will have a large negative impact on your property.

 

[Charlesaf3]

simple. Get a lawyer, one who is a SPECIALIST in this. Not someone who does a little bit of everything.

And figure out what you want. Would I give them the easement? Sure. For enough money. If they pay you enough to keep that land, and buy another piece, why not? Do a little thought experiment - would you take zero dollars for the easement? I'm guessing not. Would you take 10 million dollars for the easement? I'm guessing yes. Somewhere in between is probably your cut off. Which is personal to you. Knowing that will be helpful in the negotiations. The lawyer will be helpful in knowing how much negotiating power you have. And because the gas company will take you seriously if you have a lawyer, in a way that they won't if you don't.

 

[two_bit_score]

[HTML]It's Eminent Domain, BTW...
 [/HTML]

This can be fought, if you wish. Eminent Domain can only be brought about if the project is "for the public good". That doesn't mean more money for a company's stockholders.
Now, a school, road...things like that, you won't beat them.
If you are deadset against this, get with your neighbors. A class action suit will spread the legals costs and can result in enough bad PR (for the pipeline company) that they'll reroute the line.

We had a gas pipeline (Spectra Energy) pass through a piece of our property. Since it was on an existing ROW (powerlines), we weren't too concerned and sold the rights. Ask for as much money per acre as you can...definitely don't take their first (low ball) offer!

If you intend to farm the land, determine what is allowable after the pipeline is installed (you may lose use of the property).

And...always remember: VERBAL MEANS NOTHING IN A COURT OF LAW. IF THEY DO NOT HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION, SEND THEM AWAY TO GET IT!!

It's Eminent Domain, BTW...
.......blaming that on the auto correct function.......

You make some good points, as always, but it's important to keep in mind that all jurisdictions and situations are different. Pipelines and mineral rights are something that are very complicated and very situation specific.

Anyone facing a pipeline company needs to get absolute correct information and realize the pipeline companies have been doing this a long time and have very good lawyers.

One thing that will never get you anywhere with a pipeline company us being adamant that something is or is not going to happen.

Play dumb, be nice, get info.......talk to a good, experienced lawyer.

.

 

[two_bit_score]

That location would pretty much eliminate the possibility of ever selling any road frontage property for housing.

MarkV

There are all kinds of buried utilities in front of properties all across the country. Usually having utilities at the road is a positive. How is this necessarily any different? You are making assumptions and drawing conclusions that may not be supported by facts.

 

[kude]

Get as much money as you can. ComEd wanted to build high power lines on my land and I said sure, for a million dollars. I got appraisals etc. They are cheap and moved it elsewhere. I would gladly taken the million and buy another farm to live on without the eyesore.

In Illinois they take it to the commerce commission and get permission to take the land, so the best you can do is negotiate price.