Staff and Wire Reports

HINESBURG – An activist group claimed responsibility Saturday for a protest at the home of the Vermont Gas Systems president, saying it wanted to highlight the threat of eminent domain over the construction of a gas pipeline extension.

In an email to the Burlington Free Press and the Associated Press, Green Mountain EarthFirst claimed they "temporarily seized" the property of Vermont Gas President Don Gilbert on Friday night and served a "people's eminent domain notice."

Plans by Vermont Gas to extend a natural gas line from Burlington south to Middlebury and eventually to Rutland has sparked impassioned protests by some. A number of landowners along the line of the pipeline have refused to allow easements. The company is offering mediation and has said it hopes to avoid the use of eminent domain.

Hinesburg police Chief Frank Koss said about two dozen people entered Gilbert's property after dark Friday, including some who went onto the porch. He said they left the property after police arrived at about 9:15 p.m.

The chief said they refused to identify themselves. They were allowed to leave after the license plate numbers on about seven vehicles were recorded, Officer Chris Bataille said.

Koss said he felt the protesters crossed the line.

"To me, this confrontation with him on his own property at night, that's not freedom of speech," Koss said.

Vermont Gas spokesman Steve Wark said the protest at Gilbert's home was a continuation of what he calls extreme behavior over the last several months.

"Members of these groups continue to show they cannot be trusted to communicate their viewpoints peacefully, honestly or respectfully," Wark said. "It's unfortunate that they use extreme and disrespectful tactics to bully those who do not share their point of view.

The email from Green Mountain Earthfirst said it does not support construction of any fossil fuel infrastructure.

Several people were recognized from previous incidents at the other Vermont Gas locations, the chief said shortly after 11 p.m.

"As a long time law enforcement officer and now chief of police, I have always strived to be fair and impartial dealing with anyone with differing views. The incident tonight however was totally unacceptable and clearly counterproductive with regards to any opinions regarding Vermont Gas," Koss said in a prepared statement.

"Aside from a clear invasion of privacy, the potential for someone getting hurt is heightened due to residents not knowing the intentions of the people trespassing on their property late at night," Koss said.

It was the latest protest by opponents to expansion of a Vermont Gas pipeline. While Rising Tide has protested at the business offices of Vermont Gas on Swift Street in South Burlington — and had members arrested — this was the first known protest at a private residence.

The incident remains under investigation, Bataille said.