Martin & Bell, L.L.C.

Salt River Project and APS exercise eminent domain powers granted to them by the Arizona legislature. In the case of the power companies, transmission lines that range from 69,000 volts to 500,000 volts often criss-cross our Valley. In some cases, the lines are underground but that is an exception. Except for those underground lines, the visual impact on the remaining property creates a severance damage that anyone who lives near power lines or transmission lines readily recognizes. Issues relating to electromagnetic fields, heat, and other safety issues often arise for land in the path of transmission lines. Recently, an out of state entity has sought federal approval for a natural gas pipeline that crosses both public and private property from south to north through our state. The issues that arise relating to the lines and the metering stations are similar to the power pole issues, but those matters are typically resolved in a federal courthouse as opposed to an Arizona Superior Court.