Dominion has withdrawn the Quick Take suits they filed on November 16, 2018, against at least 20 Nelson landowners. Given the multiple existing court challenges, it seems likely that ACP feared the court might side with the landowners who are at risk of suffering irreparable harm at the hands of a project that may never even be built. The ACP has, however, reserved the right to re-file another “motion for partial summary judgement” or Quick Take at any time.

“Quick Take” is a formal process of the exercise of eminent domain in which the government (or in this case, a private for-profit company masquerading as a “public” utility) takes possession BEFORE any court ruling on compensation. In other words, Dominion wanted access to begin work on these landowners’ properties BEFORE paying the landowners any money, and BEFORE receiving all permits allowing the ACP to begin construction.