Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. has filed a lawsuit in Berkshire Superior Court against the state arguing the company doesn’t need its permission to build through state protected land in Sandisfield.
The suit, if successful, would be a blow to opponents of TGP’s plan for another pipeline through Franklin County.
The suit seeks permanent eminnent domain of six acres and temporary eminent domain of 15.5 acres in Sandisfield, and seeks easements in part of Otis State Forest, one day after a state legislative committee placed a “study order” on a bill to convey the state protected property under Article 97 of the Masssachusetts Constitution.
The action follows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commmission’s March 11 approval of TGP’s Connecticut Expansion Project – a 13.42-mile-long looping of existing natural gas pipeline, part of which involves a a 3.81-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter loop cut across nearly four miles of state forest land. Article 97 requires a two-thirds vote of the state Legislature.
More details as the story develops.