See below for a statement from the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL), as well as the order by U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle, “extend[ing] a stay on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s (ACP) request to use ‘quick-take’ proceedings in order to gain access to properties along the route of the pipeline.” According to Therese Vick of BREDL, “The ACP boondoggle is in trouble, and the company’s latest attempt to bully landowners has rightly been stopped.”
Judge Halts Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s Land-Grab Attempt
Stay on Eminent Domain Requested by Impacted Landowners Granted
Raleigh- In a July 24th ruling, US District Judge Terrence Boyle extended a stay on Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s (ACP) request to use “quick-take” proceedings in order to gain access to properties along the route of the pipeline. “Quick take” allows the company to gain access to land even though adjudication of compensation has not occurred.
In his 2-page order Boyle wrote: “Defendants again cite ACP’s suspension of construction activities, the uncertainty of the pipeline’s route in light of ongoing litigation, and the burden of the expense of litigation if required to proceed at this time in support of their request for a continued stay. The Court again finds that any prejudice to ACP imposed by a brief additional stay does not sufficiently outweigh the burden imposed on the moving defendants.”
Therese Vick, community organizer for Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League (BREDL) applauded Judge Boyle’s decision. “The ACP boondoggle is in trouble, and the company’s latest attempt to bully landowners has rightly been stopped.”
Three of the cases involve BREDL members from Halifax, Nash, and Wilson Counties. They are represented by Cathy Cralle-Jones, an attorney with the Brice firm of Raleigh. The stay is set to expire on September 23rd.
Order attached
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