05/05/2021 at 10:00AM
On February 19, 2020, the Subcommittee launched an investigation into the use of eminent domain in the construction of natural gas pipelines. On April 28, 2020, the Subcommittee released preliminary findings of the investigation revealing that the natural gas pipeline approval process used by FERC is unfair to private landowners.
On November 20, 2020, the Subcommittee expanded its investigation by requesting information about procedures that FERC uses to resolve conflicts between landowners and energy companies. On December 10, 2020, the Subcommittee held a hearing at which FERC admitted that it does not use existing authority to protect landowners.
This hearing will focus on Midship/Cheniere’s actions to demonstrate how FERC routinely allows pipeline companies to put pipelines into service before the companies meet their obligations to repair damage they caused to individuals’ land. Over the past year, Midship/Cheniere has missed several deadlines to repair private farmers’ land, threatening their livelihoods, while facing minimal consequences from federal regulators.
Opening statement from Chair Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)
In our Subcommittee’s hearing in December, we pressed FERC to stay its certificates such that a company could not assert eminent domain over a landowner’s objections while the landowners’ appeals were still pending. We learned just last night that FERC has issued a new Order, that does exactly that. I thank Chairman Glick for his work to move landowner rights forward. This common sense and eminently fair practice was long overdue, and I am thrilled that Chairman Glick and FERC have made this change a priority.
Witnesses
- Christopher A. Smith, Senior Vice President, Public, Government and Public Affairs, Cheniere Energy
- Rob Squires, Landowner Advocate, Squires Consulting, LLC
- Terry Luber, Oklahoma Farmer
- Samuel B. Gedge, Attorney, Institute for Justice