Speaking as someone actually fighting eminent domain in a federal court in Johnstown, Pa., I can say that Duluth School Board member Gary Glass' commentary calling eminent domain a "despicable act" spoke truth to power ("Unnecessary use of eminent domain: A despicable act," Jan. 3).
I can confirm that the traditional interpretation of eminent domain is shifting. It was supposed to be the taking of property or property rights under the badge of government for the public good, based on just compensation. In too many cases today, however, eminent domain has less to do with projects for the public good and everything to do with the financial good of publicly held corporations. Today, eminent domain means someone wants your property and the government helps them take it.
In Bedford County, Pa., two hours from Washington, D.C., property owners are being hauled into federal court by Houston-based Spectra Energy Corp., which is backed by the power of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The landowners' property is sitting on the gas-rich Marcellus Shale, which can't be developed because Spectra Energy wants to use the Oriskany sands layer (which is under the Marcellus) for a 12 billion cubic foot underground natural gas storage facility.
They say it is critical, even though Pennsylvania has more underground gas storage sites than any other state in the continental U.S., according to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration.
Keep in mind that property owners possess the key asset, the land, but they are not treated as stakeholders. They are mere obstacles to Spectra Energy and FERC.
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Mike Benard
Victor, N.Y.
