Colonial gets eminent domain approval for postponed new mainline

ATLANTA, Ga. - The state has extended the power of eminent domain to Colonial Pipeline Co. of Alpharetta, Ga., so it can expand its petroleum pipeline from Louisiana.
Colonial was issued the first permit by the state Environmental Protection Division under a 1995 law regulating petroleum pipelines. The permit allows Colonial to add a third pipeline that will run from Jackson, La., to Austell, Ga.
The company’s two existing mainlines provide 70 percent of the state’s gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other petroleum products.
Colonial now needs to purchase 25-foot easements from about 500 landowners in Cobb, Paulding, Carroll and Haralson counties to build the Georgia portion of the 460-mile, $3 billion pipeline expansion. Most of the 44-mile expansion in Georgia is expected to run alongside existing Colonial lines.
In February, Colonial announced it had indefinitely postponed its plans for the project because demand for gasoline and other petroleum products is down.
The EPD permit gives Colonial two years to begin purchasing easements from approximately 500 landowners in Georgia. The EPD director could extend the permit for another two years.