Eminent Domain: Its Origin, Meaning, and Relevance to Coal Slurry Pipelines

Whether the right or power of the eminent domain should be granted by the federal government to coal slurry pipelines is discussed. Railroads, constructed without the benefit of eminent domain, have refused to allow slurry pipelines to pass beneath their tracks, though they have granted such permission to oil and natural gas pipelines. While the federal government studies the issue, railroads continue to fear that if eminent domain is granted, their financial soundness will be ruined as coal tonnages are diverted away from them.