WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) offered an amendment to the Keystone XL pipeline bill that prohibits TransCanada from using eminent domain proceedings to seize private property in order to build the pipeline. Republicans have insisted on similar language prohibiting the use of eminent domain when establishing national parks and Sens. Menendez and Cantwell now argue that eminent domain not be used to benefit private foreign interests.
“I call on my colleagues to be consistent, stand on principle and logic, protect land owners, and support this amendment to protect private property from seizure by foreign corporations,” said Sen. Menendez. “If our Republican colleagues believe eminent domain cannot be used on a national park to conserve our national treasures and preserve America’s beauty for future generations – then surely it should not be used to benefit the interest of a foreign-owned oil company seeking to ship its product around the world.”
“This amendment is about protecting Americans’ private property,” Sen. Cantwell said. “TransCanada should play by the rules, and acquire its right of way from willing sellers – not from unwilling victims. This amendment will protect the dozens of landowners in Nebraska whose property is under threat from TransCanada Corporation.”
The Senators also pointed to a letter Nebraska landowners who live on the proposed route of the pipeline sent to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell urging him to support the eminent domain amendment and to “make it clear TransCanada cannot take land from un-willing sellers.”
The amendment creates a new “Private Property Protection” that would prevent a foreign company from seizing private property to build the Keystone Pipeline unless the landowner is willing to sell. The full text of this amendment can be downloaded here.
In addition to the eminent domain amendment, Senator Menendez offered the following amendments to the Keystone XL pipeline bill:
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