By Joanna Richards
A company that wants to build a natural gas pipeline from eastern Ohio to Ontario, Canada, has clashed with some Medina County residents, by trying to survey private property over landowners’ objections as it firms up its plans.
But a judge ruled Friday that he disagrees – for now.
The ruling will keep NEXUS off three owners’ land until at least late September, when a Medina County judge set a trial date to decide the issue.
In the meantime, he denied the company’s request for a temporary restraining order against four uncooperative landowners.
The judge said NEXUS didn’t prove it would suffer irreparable harm without immediate access to the properties. The company had argued that would slow the project down and raise costs.
NEXUS is fine-tuning its route proposal for federal review. Some landowners could ultimately see the pipeline run through their property despite opposition, through the eminent domain process. NEXUS argues it needs to survey and do studies now.
Of the four property owners NEXUS took to court, one is now cooperating with the company.