The New Hampshire Senate passed a bill intended to give eminent domain protections to homeowners in the path of a gas pipeline project. Energy company Kinder Morgan recently suspended its plan to build a natural gas pipeline through southern New Hampshire, but a bill aimed at the project still passed 23-1. If enacted, it would allow homeowners to request a gas pipeline developer take their entire property, even if the company is just interested in a small piece. The measure would apply only if the house that are within 250 feet of the project.
A version of the bill has already cleared the NH House. But the House tabled a Senate-backed proposal to invest more money in energy efficiency efforts. In an effort to keep the energy efficiency legislation alive, the Senate tied the two bills together Thursday and sent the package back to the House.