One of the more lively parts of Saturday night's Republican debate were the interactions between candidates Donald Trump, Jeb Bush, and the audience who booed Trump. But it hid a more serious matter—the use of eminent domain for the Northern Pass.
According to the project overview, "Northern Pass is a 192-mile transmission line project that will bring 1,090 megawatts (MW) of clean, affordable energy from Hydro-Québec’s world-class hydroelectric plants in Canada to New Hampshire and to the rest of New England." StateImpact calls it "a highly controversial proposal." Opponents have unwisely been labeled "NIMBYs", according to a 2014 Planetizen post.
Trump was asked by WMUR-TV anchor Josh McElveen, one of ABC's moderators during the debate, "Do you see eminent domain as an appropriate tool to get that done?"
However, while the future of the project is unsettled, the use of eminent domain was taken off the table by the legislature. "In 2012, former governor John Lynch (D) signed a law blocking utility companies from using eminent domain for certain projects, a law aimed at the contentious Northern Pass project, which seeks to string power lines from Quebec through New Hampshire, connecting a Canadian hydroelectric plant to New England’s power grid," reported the Washington Post on Jan. 26.
Bush and Trump also debated the use of eminent domain in the Keystone XL pipeline.
TRUMP to Bush: Eminent domain, the Keystone pipeline — do you consider that a private job?
BUSH: I consider it a public use.
The two go back and forth on that. Actually, it's a private job for what can be viewed as a public use, i.e., they were both right.
Notwithstanding the serious nature of eminent domain, the Northern Pass, and Keystone XL, the exchange was rather comical, with Trump telling Bush to be "quiet" numerous times, that he was trying to be a "tough guy," with Bush responding, "How tough it is to take away property from an elderly woman?" referring to Trump's use of eminent domain in his role as a developer in Atlantic City, N.J. in the 1990s (posted here).
And when the audience booed Trump for being a bully, he pounced on them, accusing them of being "all of (Bush's) donors and special interests out there."
FULL STORY: NH #GOPdebate audience boos Donald Trump after he orders Jeb Bush to be quiet
Eminent Domain an Issue in Republican Presidential Primary, Again
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is using a new ad against GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, a billionaire real estate developer, based on his use of eminent domain against an elderly woman in Atlantic City. Trump strongly defended using the controversial tool.
Trump: The Ultimate Unintended Consequence
In Sacramento, a protracted fight involving the California Environmental Quality Act downsized a proposed development. It also added fuel to the pro-Trump, anti-development fire that swept the nation on November 8.
Getting it Right on U.S Energy Independence
During the second presidential debate Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton claimed that the "U.S. was energy independent." Some in the media, including Politifact, were quick to report that claim as "false." And the news just got worse.
Amtrak Ramping Up Infrastructure Projects
Thanks to federal funding from the 2021 infrastructure act, the agency plans to triple its investment in infrastructure improvements and new routes in the next two years.
The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project
The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.
Ending Downtown San Francisco’s ‘Doom Loop’
A new public space project offers an ambitious vision—so why is the city implementing it at such a small scale?
Kaua’i County Uses Long-Range Models to Mandate Resiliency Standards
The county requires builders to assess potential flood risks using models that account for sea level rise projected as far out as 2100.
California Governor Vetoes Autonomous Truck Ban
Gov. Newsom called the new law unnecessary, citing existing efforts by state regulators to develop new rules around autonomous trucking.
Low-Barrier Motel Shelter Is a Success—But Not an Easy One
Many guests at Motels4Now are on their second or third stays—but staff say that's doesn't equal failure, and the numbers bear that out.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Washington University
Mpact: Mobility, Community, Possibility
Lassen County Planning and Building Services
City of San Carlos
National Capital Planning Commission
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
