Natural gas pipeline company brought action for declaratory judgment against landowners, seeking order affirming company’s authority to enter their properties to conduct preliminary surveys and other activities within range of dates.
The Circuit Court entered judgment for pipeline company, and landowners appealed.
The Supreme Court of Virginia held that:
- Companies may enter properties either to satisfy a regulatory requirement or to select the most advantageous location or route for a pipeline;
- Company’s proposed activities on landowners’ properties fell within scope of statute giving company right to enter and conduct certain activities; and
- Range of dates provided complied with statutory requirement that notice “set forth the date of the intended entry.”