LAKE CHARLES, LA (AP) — Land may be expropriated by the Port of Lake Charles in a bid to make way for a multibillion-dollar natural gas plant to be built near Lake Charles.
The port's board of commissioners Monday approved a plan to expropriate the land Sasol North America needs for its new plant project. The move by the port board was called unlawful by an attorney for a landowner opposed to the expropriations, according to reporter Lance Traweek with the American Press.
Sasol and port officials say there are 23 parcels of land still blocking construction plans.
Port officials said expropriations may begin after a 60-day period to allow for further negotiations between landowners and Sasol. The Port of Lake Charles argues that it has the power to expropriate land because doing so will be in the public's interest. It also argues that allowing Sasol to develop its facility will be an economic boost for the area.
Lawyers for landowners unwilling to sell their land dubbed the board's decision "an abuse of power" that leads down a "slippery slope."
William Rase, the port's executive director, says the port will buy any land that is expropriated and lease that land to Sasol. He had no estimate about how much the port may need to spend on expropriating land.
The land to be expropriated will be used for railroads, operating equipment and maintenance shops, said Mike Hayes, a Sasol spokesman.
Hayes said Sasol would continue talking with property owners to negotiate deals.
