TransCanada Takes New Court Action on Keystone Pipeline as it Continues to Bully Landowner

MEDIA ADVISORY Embargoed for Thursday, February 16, 2012

Contacts: Debra Medina, We Texans, 512.663.8401, Terri Hall, TURF, 210.275.0640, Linda Curtis, Independent Texans, 512.657.2089, Jessica Ellison , Texans for Accountable Government, 512.653.9179, Chris Wilson, Austin Organizer, 512.261.0182, RJ Beving, Paris organizer, 214.557.2271

TransCanada Takes New Court Action on Keystone Pipeline as it Continues to Bully Landowner

Company Pushes to Start Construction Now as Groups Say “Don’t Mess with Texas”

WHAT: Protest/Rally and Court Proceedings (TransCanada vs. Landowner) at Lamar County Courthouse

Protest/Rally at Austin—Railroad Commission

WHEN: Friday, February 17th Paris Rally at 9 am Court proceedings at 10 am

Austin Rally at 10 am

WHERE: Paris– In front of Lamar County Courthouse 119 North Main- Paris, Texas 75460

Austin: In front of Railroad Commission office, 1701 North Congress

WHY: TransCanada to have Courtroom Showdown with Landowner

On the morning of a courtroom battle over a temporary restraining order, statewide groups and citizens will stand behind Texas landowner Julia Trigg Crawford of Paris in support of her right to protect private property. Upon asking for a standstill order while in negotiation on her eminent domain case, TransCanada's representatives balked against her request saying they wanted the right to start trenching on her property as early as March 1st.

On Monday, February 13th, Ms. Crawford obtained a restraining order against TransCanada to protect her property. Within 24 hours, TransCanada in turn filed for the restraining order to be dissolved. The hearing is set for Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. before Judge Bill Harris in Paris, Tx.

“Everyone wants to know, by what authority or permit does this private, foreign company have the right to condemn property and start construction? We are going to tell TransCanada, don’t mess with Texans, don’t mess with our landowners,” commented Linda Curtis of Independent Texans.

TransCanada's Keystone XL permit was denied by the president, so the groups and landowners question by what permit or authority does TransCanada take property or start any kind of tar sand pipeline construction? TransCanada, despite the denial of a permit, continues to bully landowners and execute eminent domain condemnation proceedings. Groups are questioning this company's right to take land via eminent domain. The Railroad Commission has stated that it does not have the authority to grant the power of eminent domain to TransCanada. Ms. Crawford has also challenged the company’s common carrier status.

Ms. Crawford’s case is emblematic of the continuing struggle along with more than 80 cases in Texas where TransCanada, a foreign pipeline company, has condemned private property belonging to Texans.

“This is a private company taking land for private use and foreign profit. They are cloaking themselves in common carrier regalia and exercising eminent domain against Texas citizens but there is no evidence that they have the legal authority to seize property in Texas," noted Debra Medina former gubernatorial candidate and director of We Texans.

The groups plan to show their Texas pride at the events with their boots on, and their Texas and American flags held high telling this private, foreign company "Don't Mess with Texas", "Don't bully Texans, putting our land and our water at risk," while this foreign company continues to masquerade as a common carrier.

PHOTO OPS: Both locations to have citizens with boots on, holding Texas flags, American flags, with protest signs out front.

Court proceedings in judge’s chambers following rally in Paris.

Calvin Tillman
Former Mayor, DISH, TX
(940) 453-3640

"Those who say it can not be done, should get out of the way of those that are doing it"