THE APEX TIMES
Greg Davenport, whose family has owned a Christian County farm since the 1940s, says a public agency seeking a 16-inch natural gas pipeline has threatened court action if he does not sign.
A Kentucky landowner in Christian County says an agency involved in a proposed natural gas pipeline has used the threat of eminent domain to force property agreements, raising concerns about how the public process is being carried out on his family’s farm.
Greg Davenport, according to Kentucky Lantern, is not opposing pipeline construction in general, but he says he has “serious misgivings” about the specific route proposed to cross his property. Davenport’s family has owned the farm since the 1940s, and he contends the company and its representatives have not adequately addressed his concerns about what the taking would mean for the land and the family’s long-term interests.
Kentucky Lantern reported that Davenport described pressure to sign property documents tied to the project. In the account, Davenport said the agency’s position was essentially, “Sign this, or we’ll take you to court,” framing the dispute as a choice between executing an agreement or facing a condemnation case. Davenport also said the situation has left him feeling bullied, not persuaded through negotiation, as the project seeks to secure access rights.
The reporting states the proposal involves a 16-inch natural gas pipeline and that Davenport’s farm would be crossed by a route shown on materials provided with the coverage, with a shaded line depicting the proposed path over his land. The article places the dispute in the context of how eminent domain is being used for energy infrastructure, with landowners navigating legal timelines while public agencies pursue construction schedules.
Because eminent domain is tied to statutory authority and court processes, affected owners may have avenues to contest the necessity of a taking, dispute route decisions, and challenge compensation. Still, the Kentucky Lantern account indicates Davenport believes his options are being constrained by accelerated deadlines and litigation threats that, in his view, reduce the substance of negotiation.
Kentucky Lantern published the report on November 2, 2026. As of that publication date, the details of what specific agency is seeking the taking and the procedural posture of any condemnation action were not included in the provided summary. The next steps for the case, if litigation is filed, would hinge on filings and scheduling in the relevant Kentucky court.
The dispute highlights the tension that can arise when energy projects depend on both public authorization and private land access, especially for property owners who say they have limited leverage once negotiations turn to eminent domain. For residents, the legal process and the ultimate resolution can affect not only land values and property boundaries, but also confidence in how state and public agencies carry out infrastructure decisions.
