Landowners, power-line companies square off over bill on condemnation powers

A bill meant to help the Montana-Alberta Tie power line condemn a small piece of property for its northern Montana route ran into a buzz saw of landowner opposition Wednesday, as ranchers and farmers blasted the measure as an assault on private property rights. “If you approve this thing, you're taking money out of my pocket and my family's pocket and giving it to the big utilities,” said Bob Haseman, who owns a ranch in Broadwater County. “I oppose (this bill) because it's so grossly unfair to the landowner.” House Bill 198, sponsored by Rep. Ken Peterson, R-Billings, says that a company with a state-approved route for its power line can use eminent domain to condemn and purchase land along that route. Peterson told the House Federal Relations, Energy and Telecommunications Committee that the bill merely clarifies authority the power-line companies have had for years, but which was thrown into doubt by a ruling last fall by state District Judge Laurie McKinnon of Shelby. Yet landowners from Cut Bank to Butte, including the family that won the court ruling, said HB198 does much more than just clarify the law, and would give too much leeway for private power-line companies to condemn property...more