Mediation Efforts Fail

Mediation Talks Break Down Over Power Line Route

Ventura County Star
June 16, 2011

After an attempt at mediation failed, the Tonbridge power company filed condemnation complaints against eleven landowners whose properties are situated along a proposed 214-mile power line in northwestern Montana between Alberta and Great Falls. Tonbridge Power’s action was in response to a lawsuit filed by landowners against the power company and the state, “targeting a business-backed eminent domain law that went into effect in May.” The eleven plaintiffs contend the law is unconstitutional and will harm farming operations.

Despite the efforts of Retired Montana Supreme Court Justice William Leaphart who presided over the mediation, the efforts to resolve the dispute failed. James Kemp, the program manager for the Montana-Alberta Tie Line project, said that “the company was ‘rebuffed’ in mediation by the landowners.”

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