Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin wants the VT Department of Public Service to hire an independent property appraiser to participate in eminent domain proceedings for the Addison-Rutland Natural Gas Project. "I am concerned at the transparency and equity issues that have been raised by Vermont Gas's negotiations with landowners," Shumlin wrote in a letter Monday. "I want to ensure consistent third-party valuations for property subject to condemnation in the event eminent domain proceedings occur." Public Service Commissioner Chris Recchia said the department has had many complaints from landowners who are in negotiations. He said the complaints center on how Vermont Gas has been handling the land use discussions.
In his letter Monday, Shumlin said: "While landowners still may choose to retain their own valuation expert, as well as their own representation, in these proceedings, a natural valuation expert retained for all such proceedings seems appropriate and necessary in these circumstances."
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