Landowners deserve clearer notice on eminent domain

The solution

Legislation is needed to require public utilities to provide early and standardized notification to landowners impacted by energy infrastructure projects involving eminent domain. 

Eminent domain should come with accountability 

• Granting a private, for-profit company the power to take private land for energy infrastructure construction is one of the most significant intrusions on property rights. If this authority is intended to serve the public good, there must be guardrails that ensure it is not used unnecessarily.  

Transparency should not impede necessary projects 

• The call for increased clarity and public information is not a challenge to legitimate infrastructure needs. Instead, it ensures that communities receive timely, accurate information before eminent domain proceedings begin. 

Legislation should include: 

• Written notice to affected landowners at least 60 days before permit application filing. 
• Clear project information including routes, public necessity, and utility contacts.
• A public community meeting to gather feedback within 30 days of filing. 
• Public notice publication at the time of filing.  

These steps promote informed participation and protect landowners’ ability to engage in the process before decisions are finalized. 

By enacting landowner notification requirements, South Carolina will: 

• Protect private property rights by ensuring landowners receive timely, accurate information 
• Increase transparency, improve trust, and reduce disputes among landowners, utilities, and ratepayers 
• Support responsible infrastructure development by establishing a standardized statewide process  

We can achieve these outcomes without: 

• Challenging the necessity of legitimate infrastructure projects  
• Impeding utilities’ ability to plan or build responsibly  
• Delaying or restricting construction of needed energy infrastructure   

Legislation would offer a balanced, common-sense approach that strengthens property rights, ensures communities are informed and respected, and enables responsible energy development.