On Friday, Feb. 3, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave a final approval for Energy Transfer’s Rover Pipeline project–a $3.7 billion, 711-mile Marcellus/Utica natural gas pipeline that will run from PA, WV and eastern OH through OH into Michigan and eventually into Canada (see ET Rover Pipeline Gets Final Approval by FERC). Rover immediately began cutting down trees along the path in Ohio, on property where landowners have signed easements and voluntarily granted access. However, some landowners, either signed or unsigned, have not yet granted access. So Rover went to court, seeking eminent domain declarations (see Time’s Up – Rover Pipe Uses Eminent Domain on Holdout OH Landowners). Yesterday a federal judge granted Rover a preliminary injunction that allows the company to enter most properties–at least for those who have already signed or are actively negotiating with Rover. There are a few holdouts (21 owners of 15 parcels) where certain legal hoops still need to be jumped through–but they will also soon have to allow Rover access. What are last minute offers by Rover to landowners for easements? Rover isn’t saying, but some landowners are mentioning $70 to $80 per linear foot as a good number…
