OPINION

Emmett Hanger's triple play

Our local state senators are trying to right a 2004 General Assembly wrong at the center of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline debate.

In doing so, Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, and Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Millboro, are not only taking on the ever-powerful Dominion Transmissions, but acting on behalf of private landowners who have been strong-armed by the utility's lawsuits and threats of eminent domain.

This is what leadership looks like.

Hanger and Deeds have introduced S.B. 1338, a repeal of the measure that allows Dominion Transmissions, or any utility, to enter and survey private property without landowners' permission.

Based on that 2004 law, which Hanger supported and Deeds opposed, Dominion has sued 27 Augusta County residents who have refused to allow the utility access to their land that sits in the path of the proposed pipeline.

We are pleased that Hanger has seen the light on this issue, and hope Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, and Del. Ben Cline, R-Lexington, will as well. They, too, voted in favor of the 2004 law. Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, was not in the General Assembly at the time.

Hanger's good work for property rights and transparency does not end there. He has also introduced S.B. 1166, which matches a bill that Bell introduced. It makes a public service corporation trying to use eminent domain subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act on projects for which it is exercising eminent domain. If this bill passes, all documents related to the Dominion's proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline will be open to public inspection.

Transparency is crucial from governments and from private entities who say they are acting in the public interest by seizing private property. As we have said before, citizens should have full access to information on the Atlantic Coast Pipeline if eminent domain is enacted.

Finally, Hanger has introduced S.B. 1169, which says a natural gas utility may only enter a landowner's property without permission if the local governing body has adopted a resolution in favor of the utility's project, which must be consistent with a locality's comprehensive plan, and if there is demonstrated public need for the project.

If passed, this would give a local government more power in helping citizens who don't want a gas utility on their land. Augusta County's Board of Supervisors, for instance, specifically passed a resolution against the Atlantic Coast Pipeline's proposed location. Local governments currently have no real power to help property owners who want Dominion off their land.

Repealing the 2004 law, which would be a major legislative victory, would make S.B. 1169 unnecessary. We hope the General Assembly goes for the grand slam with S.B. 1338.

Hanger's triple play is impressive. Locals can no longer say no one is trying to help them in Richmond. Hanger, Deeds and Bell have stepped up to the plate. We are eager to see if Landes and Cline, through their votes on the General Assembly floor, join the team and stand up for private landowners.

Our View represents the majority opinion of the newspaper's editorial board, Roger Watson, president and publisher; David Fritz, executive editor; and Deona Landes Houff, community conversations editor.