The planned construction of a natural gas pipeline in North Carolina has led to a dispute between Davidson College and Piedmont Natural Gas. Davidson is alarmed because the pipeline would run across its real estate, in particular its nature preserve. The pipeline would represent an eight mile segment of a larger 133-mile-long line that is intended to update a power plant, which is being converted to natural gas from coal.

Davidson alleges that surveyors contracted by the energy company entered the college's property without permission and felled trees within the nature preserve in their search for a route for the pipeline. The college also says that it learned about the project and tried to contact Piedmont last summer to disclose more information about it. According to Davidson, the company only revealed the details in January.

Other pipelines cross the college campus, but they are located in areas that do not do harm to the nature preserve. Davidson has suggested that Piedmont run its pipeline alongside the already existing lines. But utility companies have the authority under state law to condemn land to place pipelines. Piedmont's preferred route would take the pipeline through a particularly sensitive area of the preserve where a multiyear research project is ongoing.

That route would require Davidson to give Piedmont a permanent easement 70 feet in width. In addition, Piedmont workers would need an area 20 feet wide around the pipe to perform maintenance, which would require the removal of many trees. The preserve is home to a variety of flora, including a rare plant found only in the Piedmont region.

Real estate disputes can be complex, and both sides have lawyers working to resolve the issues.

Source: The Charlotte Observer, "Davidson College protests plans for gas pipeline," Bruce Henderson, Feb. 15, 2012.