Columbia Gas Transmission Corp., Cross-Appellee v. An Exclusive Gas Storage Easement, Cross-Appellants

GEORGE CLIFTON EDWARDS, Jr., Senior Circuit Judge.

Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation is one of the largest gas pipeline companies in the United States. As part of its gas supply system, it operates a gas storage system in southeastern Ohio. In the instant action, Columbia, without seeking amendment of its certificate of public convenience and necessity, sought to condemn an easement for underground storage of natural gas under the property owned by defendants Parrotts and their associates. Columbia says that it had previously sought to lease such an easement but had been unable to arrive…