Aug 15, 2014 2 min read

Equitrans, a natural gas company based in Pittsburgh, filed a civil complaint in federal court this week seeking a preliminary injunction to allow it to take possession of property in Washington Township, Greene County, in order to construct, operate and maintain a natural gas pipeline.

The company is asking for the taking of the property owned by Sabrina E. Ellis, 275 Garner Run Road, under the power of eminent domain.

Specifically, Equitrans wishes to acquire 1.080 acres for the purpose of building a road to access the right of way where the pipeline will be located; 1.8169 acres for construction purposes; and .09994 acres for additional temporary workspace.

Equitrans claims it offered the property owner $3,500 as “just compensation,” and it “negotiated at length in an attempt to acquire by contract the necessary property interests, but has been unable to reach an agreement with the (property owner).”

The company claims the projected in-service date for the project is Dec. 11, and to meet the date for the entire project, “construction must begin in a timely manner on the property.”

To complete the project by that date, Equitrans maintains it must acquire permanent and temporary easement.

The complaint states it is necessary for Equitrans to obtain immediate access to and possession of the property in a timely manner to meet construction deadlines, and is asking the court to:

• Issue a preliminary injunction that grants Equitrans immediate access, possession of and entry onto the property.

• Enter judgment condemning a portion of the property and authorizing Equitrans to enter it and take possession of it in order to construct a pipeline.

• Grant Equitrans the right to make use of the property for the purpose of constructing the pipelines.

• Require the property owner to execute documents necessary to effectuate the condemnation and the completion of the project.