in Re DeRuiter Ranch, LLC ( 2021 )

NUMBER 13-21-00001-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI – EDINBURG
IN RE DERUITER RANCH, LLC
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Chief Justice Contreras and Justices Hinojosa and Silva
Memorandum Opinion by Chief Justice Contreras1
In this original proceeding, relator DeRuiter Ranch, LLC (DeRuiter) asserts that the
trial court abused its discretion in preventing DeRuiter from obtaining discovery regarding
whether its property is being properly condemned for “public use” in a statutory
1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not
required to do so. When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in any other case.”); id. R.
47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).
condemnation proceeding. 2 See TEX. UTIL. CODE ANN. § 181.004. We conditionally grant
DeRuiter’s petition for writ of mandamus.
I. BACKGROUND
Permian Highway Pipeline LLC (Permian), a gas utility, filed a petition for
condemnation against DeRuiter in Lavaca County, Texas. According to its petition,
Permian is in the process of constructing a gas utility pipeline which will be approximately
425 miles long and will traverse seventeen Texas counties. Permian’s original statement
and petition for condemnation provided that:
[T]he [p]ipeline . . . will transport, convey, distribute, or deliver natural gas
and its associated substances for public use or service for compensation;
for sale to persons engaged in distributing or selling natural gas to the
public; for sale or delivery to the public for domestic or other use whether
for public hire or not; and for which the right-of-way has been or is hereafter
acquired by exercising the right of eminent domain.
Permian asserted that its board of directors “found that it is a public use and is necessary,
and required by the public convenience and necessity, and in the public interest” for
Permian to acquire land for the pipeline’s construction.
In connection with the construction of the pipeline, Permian negotiated with
DeRuiter to obtain permanent and temporary easements and rights of way on DeRuiter’s
property, which comprises approximately three hundred fifty-six acres in Lavaca County.
After negotiations failed, Permian instituted the underlying condemnation proceeding.
After an administrative hearing resulted in an award to DeRuiter, Permian objected to the
2 This original proceeding arises from trial court cause number 2019-05-24150CR in the 25th
District Court of Lavaca County, Texas, and the respondent is the Honorable William D. Old III. See TEX.
R. APP. P. 52.2.
2
award, thereby converting the case into a judicial proceeding. In the underlying
proceedings, DeRuiter filed a plea to the jurisdiction in which it asserted that the pipeline
does not serve a public use, there is no necessity for the pipeline, and Permian’s board
of directors abused its discretion and acted arbitrarily and capriciously in determining that
there was a public necessity for the pipeline.
During the litigation, DeRuiter propounded discovery requests to Permian.
Permian responded to some of the requests, but the parties were unable to agree on all
issues regarding discovery. Ultimately, DeRuiter requested the trial court to rule on
Permian’s objections to six of DeRuiter’s requests for production that relate to the alleged
“public use” of the pipeline. DeRuiter argued that the requested information is “clearly
relevant to whether [Permian’s] proposed taking in this case satisfies Texas law’s public
use requirement.” The six requests for production at issue are as follows:
20. All documents showing the ownership structure of the Subject
Pipeline.
21. All contracts, prospective contracts, bids, quotes, letters of intent,
and commitments for the transportation of any product(s) through the
Subject Pipeline.
22. If you or an Affiliate owns the products to be transported by the
Subject Pipeline, produce all documents evidencing what you or the
Affiliate will do with the products after the products are transported
by the Subject Pipeline and/or to whom they will be sold.
23. All contracts between you and any of your Affiliates related to the
transportation, processing[,] and sale of any products to be
transported through the Subject Pipeline.
24. All contracts between you or any of your Affiliates and any third party
related to the transportation, processing, and sale of any products to
be transported through the Subject Pipeline.
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25. All communications with any customer(s) and/or prospective
customer(s) for the transportation of any product(s) through the
Subject Pipeline.
Permian objected to each of these requests for production. Its objections to the
requests were not identical, but its response to each of the requests included this
objection regarding relevance:
Plaintiff objects to this Request to the extent it seeks information that is not
relevant to the subject matter of this lawsuit nor is it likely to lead to the
discovery of relevant, admissible evidence and is an impermissible fishing
expedition specifically prohibited by the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
Permian also objected to some of the discovery requests as overly broad, unduly
burdensome, or duplicative of other requests. Permian did not file affidavits or other
evidence in support of its objections.
DeRuiter filed a request for the trial court to rule on Permian’s objections. As stated
previously, DeRuiter alleged that the requested documents were relevant and
discoverable, yet Permian had “failed to produce a single responsive document to these
specific requests.” Permian filed a response in opposition to DeRuiter’s request, citing the
Texas Utilities Code for the assertion that the legislature has determined that gas utilities
serve a public purpose and the “common carrier” pipeline standard 3 applied under other
statutory schemes requiring an unaffiliated third-party shipper for a public purpose does
not apply to gas utilities. See TEX. UTIL. CODE ANN. §§ 121.001(a)(2)(A), 121.051(a),
181.004. Permian further asserted that it had “adequately” produced documentation to
3 See Tex. Rice Land Partners, Ltd. v. Denbury Green Pipeline–Texas, LLC, 363 S.W.3d 192, 202
(Tex. 2012) (articulating a “common carrier” test to determine the public use of a pipeline under the Texas
Natural Resources Code whereby “a reasonable probability must exist that the pipeline will at some point
after construction serve the public by transporting gas for one or more customers who will either retain
ownership of their gas or sell it to parties other than the carrier”).
4
show its compliance with the public use requirement, including the affidavit of John J.
Towles with exhibits, Permian’s “Application for Permit to Operate a Pipeline in Texas”
(Form T-4), its permit from the Railroad Commission of Texas, Permian’s board’s consent
declaring public necessity and use, Permian’s New Construction Report (PS-48), and
Annual Gas Utility Transmission Reports. 4
The trial court held a non-evidentiary hearing on DeRuiter’s request for a ruling in
which the parties’ arguments focused exclusively on the relevance of DeRuiter’s requests
for production. 5 Although Permian had a witness available to testify regarding various
issues, including the alleged confidentiality of some of the requested data, it ultimately
did not produce that witness at the hearing given the parties’ exclusive focus on the
relevance of DeRuiter’s requests. After the hearing, the trial court issued an order on
October 19, 2020, sustaining Permian’s objections to these requests for production.
This original proceeding ensued. By one issue, DeRuiter contends that the trial
court abused its discretion in preventing DeRuiter from obtaining discovery regarding
whether Permian’s “for profit pipeline project actually serves a public use” and that
DeRuiter lacks an adequate remedy by appeal. This Court requested and received a
response to the petition from Permian and received a reply thereto from DeRuiter.
4 These documents do not appear in the record before us.
5 In this original proceeding, Permian asserts that, despite its objections, it has produced the
subject pipeline’s “transmission annual report for both 2019 and 2018, which includes affiliate membership
and ownership within the [Permian] entity[,]” as well as “both public statements and other
information . . . regarding the status of the ownership structure and the makeup of the [joint venture], as
well as the identity of key anchor shippers.” These documents are not in the record before us. Permian
further states that information regarding its transportation contracts is confidential; however, Permian has
not provided anything to the trial court or this Court to support this proposition. We do not express an opinion
regarding the purported confidentiality of the documents at issue, and we likewise do not express an opinion
as to whether the produced discovery is responsive to the discovery requests at issue here.
5
II. STANDARD OF REVIEW
Mandamus is an extraordinary and discretionary remedy. See In re Allstate Indem.
Co., 622 S.W.3d 870, 883 (Tex. 2021) (orig. proceeding); In re Garza, 544 S.W.3d 836,
840 (Tex. 2018) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148
S.W.3d 124, 138 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding). The relator must show that “(1) the trial
court abused its discretion, and (2) the relator lacks an adequate remedy on appeal.” In
re USAA Gen. Indem. Co., 624 S.W.3d 782, 787 (Tex. 2021) (orig. proceeding); In re
Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 135–36; Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833,
839–40 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts with
disregard for guiding rules or principles or when it acts in an arbitrary or unreasonable
manner. In re Garza, 544 S.W.3d at 840. We determine the adequacy of an appellate
remedy by balancing the benefits of mandamus review against the detriments. In re
Acad., Ltd., 625 S.W.3d 19, 25 (Tex. 2021) (orig. proceeding); In re Essex Ins. Co., 450
S.W.3d 524, 528 (Tex. 2014) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of
Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136. An appellate remedy may be inadequate to address an
erroneous discovery ruling when
(1) an appellate court cannot cure the discovery error, such as when
confidential information is erroneously made public, (2) the party’s ability to
present a viable claim or defense—or reasonable opportunity to develop the
merits of the case—is “severely compromised” so that the trial would be a
waste of resources, or (3) discovery is disallowed and cannot be made part
of the appellate record such that a reviewing court is unable to evaluate the
effect of the trial court’s error based on the record.
In re K & L Auto Crushers, LLC, 627 S.W.3d 239, 256 (Tex. 2021) (orig. proceeding)
(quoting Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 843–44); see In re Allied Chem. Corp., 227 S.W.3d 652,
6
658 (Tex. 2007) (orig. proceeding). “A party’s ability to present and develop its case may
be severely compromised when the denied discovery goes ‘to the very heart’ of a party’s
case and prevents it from ‘developing essential elements’ of its claim or defense.” In re K
& L Auto Crushers, LLC, 627 S.W.3d at 256 (quoting Able Supply Co. v. Moye, 898
S.W.2d 766, 772 (Tex. 1995) (orig. proceeding)).
III. DISCOVERY
“Trial courts have broad discretion to decide whether to permit or deny discovery.”
In re K & L Auto Crushers, LLC, 627 S.W.3d at 247; see In re Nat’l Lloyds Ins., 532 S.W.3d
794, 802 (Tex. 2017) (orig. proceeding). “Parties are ‘entitled to full, fair discovery’ and to
have their cases decided on the merits.” Ford Motor Co. v. Castillo, 279 S.W.3d 656, 663
(Tex. 2009) (quoting Able Supply Co., 898 S.W.2d at 773). Thus, we liberally construe
the rules regarding discovery to ensure that courts are able to decide disputes based on
“what the facts reveal, not by what facts are concealed.” In re K & L Auto Crushers, LLC,
627 S.W.3d at 248 (quoting Crosstex Energy Servs., L.P. v. Pro Plus, Inc., 430 S.W.3d
384, 394 (Tex. 2014)).
Our procedural rules allow the broad discovery of unprivileged information that is
“relevant to the subject matter of the pending action.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 192.3(a); see In re
N. Cypress Med. Ctr. Operating Co., 559 S.W.3d 128, 131 (Tex. 2018) (orig. proceeding).
It is not a ground for objection “that the information sought will be inadmissible at trial if
the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 192.3(a). Information is relevant if it tends to make
the existence of a fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more or
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less probable than it would be without the information. See TEX. R. EVID. 401. The phrase
“relevant to the subject matter” is to be “liberally construed to allow the litigants to obtain
the fullest knowledge of the facts and issues prior to trial.” Ford Motor Co., 279 S.W.3d at
664; see In re Nat’l Lloyds Ins., 507 S.W.3d 219, 223 (Tex. 2016) (orig. proceeding) (per
curiam) (stating that we “broadly” construe relevance in determining the scope of
discovery). We evaluate the relevancy of discovery on a case-by-case basis. In re Sun
Coast Res., Inc., 562 S.W.3d 138, 146 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2018, orig.
proceeding); see also In re C & J Energy Servs., Inc., No. 13-20-00503-CV, 2021 WL
1748090, at *4 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg May 4, 2021, orig. proceeding
[mand. denied]) (mem. op.); In re Methodist Primary Care Grp., No. 14-17-00299-CV,
2017 WL 3480292, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Aug. 14, 2017, orig.
proceeding) (mem. op.) (per curiam).
IV. ANALYSIS
DeRuiter contends that the requested discovery is necessary to determine
(1) whether Permian’s board of directors abused its discretion in determining that the
pipeline would serve a public use and (2) whether the pipeline will in fact serve a public
use. According to DeRuiter, “[a] property owner’s ability to challenge the public use or
necessity of a private, for-profit corporation’s exercise of the public power of eminent
domain depends on adequate discovery of these issues.”
In contrast, Permian asserts that the scope of discovery does not extend to
irrelevant information and that the discovery at issue, primarily transportation contracts,
is irrelevant to the public use of its gas. Permian’s argument, in large part, is based on
8
the statutory language regarding gas utilities found in the Texas Utilities Code. Permian
asserts that it is a gas utility having the right of eminent domain and the legislature has
“determined public use by legislative decree.” The Texas Utilities Code provides that “[a]
gas or electric corporation has the right and power to enter on, condemn, and appropriate
the land, right-of-way, easement, or other property of any person or corporation.” TEX.
UTIL. CODE ANN. § 181.004. A gas utility is defined, in relevant part, as an entity that “owns,
operates, or manages a pipeline . . . that is for transporting or carrying natural gas,
whether for public hire or not.” Id. § 121.001(a)(2)(A) (emphasis added). And further, a
gas utility “is affected with a public interest.” Id. § 121.051(a). Here, the parties do not
dispute that Permian is a gas utility; however, they disagree regarding whether Permian
has established a “public use” for the taking as a matter of law.
The Texas Constitution provides that “[n]o person’s property shall be taken,
damaged, or destroyed for or applied to public use without adequate compensation being
made . . . .” TEX. CONST. art. I, § 17(a); 6 see Padilla v. Metro. Transit Auth. of Harris Cnty.,
497 S.W.3d 78, 83 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, no pet.). Thus, the “Texas
Constitution safeguards private property by declaring that eminent domain can only be
exercised for ‘public use.’” Tex. Rice Land Partners, Ltd., v. Denbury Green Pipeline-Tex.,
LLC, 363 S.W.3d 192, 194 (Tex. 2012) (quoting TEX. CONST. art. I, § 17(a)). The
constitution, as amended in 2009, expressly states that “‘public use’ does not include the
6Our “takings” clause as embodied in article I, § 17 is “comparable” to the Fifth Amendment’s Just
Compensation Clause in the federal constitution. Jim Olive Photography v. Univ. of Houston Sys., 624
S.W.3d 764, 771 (Tex. 2021) (quoting Hallco Tex., Inc. v. McMullen Cnty., 221 S.W.3d 50, 56 (Tex. 2006)).
Texas “case law on takings under the Texas Constitution is consistent with federal jurisprudence.” Jim Olive
Photography, 624 S.W.3d at 771 (quoting Hearts Bluff Game Ranch, Inc. v. State, 381 S.W.3d 468, 477
(Tex. 2012)).
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taking of property . . . for transfer to a private entity for the primary purpose of economic
development or enhancement of tax revenues.” TEX. CONST. art. I, § 17(b). 7 The Texas
Supreme Court has stated that a use is public “when the public obtains some definite right
or use in the undertaking to which the property is devoted,” but that public use “does not
include a benefit to the public welfare or good under which any business that promotes
the community’s comfort or prosperity might be benefitted from the taking.” City of Austin
v. Whittington, 384 S.W.3d 766, 779 (Tex. 2012) (citing Coastal States Gas Prod. Co. v.
Pate, 309 S.W.2d 828, 833 (Tex. 1958) (“[W]e have refused to accept the definition
adopted by some authorities which makes the phrase mean nothing more than public
welfare or good and under which almost any kind of business which promotes the
prosperity or comfort of the community might be aided by the power of eminent domain.”));
see Hous. Auth. of Dall. v. Higginbotham, 143 S.W.2d 79, 84 (Tex. 1940) (“The question
of whether or not in a given case the use is a public one depends upon the character and
not the extent of such use.”).
“Whether a taking is for a constitutional public use is a question ultimately decided
by the courts.” KMS Retail Rowlett, LP v. City of Rowlett, 593 S.W.3d 175, 182 (Tex.
7 In KMS Retail Rowlett, LP v. City of Rowlett, 593 S.W.3d 175, 193–94 (Tex. 2019), the dissent
argued that the supreme court should reconsider its case law on public use in light of the 2009 amendment
to the Texas Constitution’s Takings Clause, which “afforded property owners greater protection against
eminent domain . . . .” Id. at 193 (Blacklock, J., dissenting). The dissent contended that the court “should
eliminate deference to the government in takings cases, undo [our] unjustified burden-shifting rule, and get
rid of artificial restrictions on the defenses available to property owners.” Id. at 195. The majority stated that
“[w]e are not unsympathetic to this argument,” and agreed that “constitutional text—especially when it has
been amended since this Court developed its public-use jurisprudence—should rule over judge-invented
interpretive rules.” Id. at 193. However, the court declined to do so in Rowlett “because, simply put, no one
has asked us to.” Id. at 194. In so ruling, the majority further noted that “[a] statutory enactment cannot
change the constitution’s meaning.” Id. The court thus left the impact of the 2009 constitutional amendment
on public-use jurisprudence to be determined at a future date. See id.10
2019); see Tex. Rice Land Partners, Ltd., 363 S.W.3d at 198; Maher v. Lasater, 354
S.W.2d 923, 925 (Tex. 1962). “Although the courts ultimately decide what a public use is,
a legislative declaration on public use is entitled to our deference.” KMS Retail Rowlett,
LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187; see Whittington, 384 S.W.3d at 777–78 (clarifying the judicial
scope of review applicable to condemnation cases); Maher, 354 S.W.2d at 925. “This
deference does not abrogate judicial review.” KMS Retail Rowlett, LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187;
see Tex. Rice Land Partners, Ltd., 363 S.W.3d at 198; Maher, 354 S.W.2d at 925. Courts
determine the “ultimate question” of whether a particular use is a public use and “may
nullify a taking when the condemnor’s decision was fraudulent, in bad faith, or arbitrary
and capricious.” KMS Retail Rowlett, LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187; see Tex. Rice Land
Partners, Ltd., 363 S.W.3d at 198; Whittington, 384 S.W.3d at 777; Maher, 354 S.W.2d
at 925. We decide whether the taking is for a public use, granting due deference to
legislative declarations to that effect, and if so, we consider the landowner’s affirmative
defense that the taking was nonetheless fraudulent, in bad faith, or arbitrary and
capricious. KMS Retail Rowlett, LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187. “The inquiry into whether the
determinations of public use or necessity were fraudulent, in bad faith, or arbitrary and
capricious is a question of law for the court,” and these issues should only be submitted
to a jury if the underlying facts are in dispute. Whittington, 384 S.W.3d at 778; see Maher,
354 S.W.2d at 925.
In this case, Permian contends that DeRuiter’s requests for production pertaining
to Permian’s ownership structure and the transportation, processing, and sale of products
through the pipeline are foreclosed by virtue of the legislative directives regarding gas
11
utilities in the Texas Utilities Code which, according to Permian, render any discovery
regarding the public use of its pipeline irrelevant. Permian states that the “Legislature has
determined public use by legislative decree.” Permian argues, essentially, that the
definition of a gas utility, which is one that operates a natural gas pipeline “whether for
public hire or not,” and the legislative declaration that a gas utility “is affected with a public
interest,” foreclose any defense to a condemnation proceeding brought by such a utility
and preclude any judicial examination of public use. See TEX. UTIL. CODE ANN.
§ 121.001(a)(2)(A) (definition); id. § 121.051(a) (public interest).
We disagree. As stated previously, the legislature’s declarations regarding public
use do not obviate judicial oversight. See KMS Retail Rowlett, LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187;
Tex. Rice Land Partners, Ltd., 363 S.W.3d at 198; Maher, 354 S.W.2d at 925. And in fact,
as instructed by the supreme court, the “Legislature may not authorize that which the
Constitution prohibits.” Maher, 354 S.W.2d at 925; see TEX. CONST. art. I, § 17(b) (stating
that “‘public use’ does not include the taking of property . . . for transfer to a private entity
for the primary purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues”); see
also Maher, 354 S.W.3d at 925 (stating that “a mere declaration by the Legislature cannot
change a private use or private purpose into a public use or public purpose”). Permian
cites several of the foregoing cases which establish the proper role of the judiciary in
determining “public use,” but fails to acknowledge their import. See KMS Retail Rowlett,
LP, 593 S.W.3d at 187; Whittington, 384 S.W.3d at 777–78. 8 Permian cites no cases
8 Permian cites Davis v. City of Lubbock, 326 S.W.2d 699, 704 n.11 (Tex. 1959), and quotes it for
the proposition that the judiciary’s role in determining whether eminent domain is exercised for a public use
is “an extremely narrow one” and where the Legislature declares a particular use to be a public use, that
12
concerning the scope of discovery in a condemnation proceeding under the Texas Utilities
Code. And Permian has cited no authority establishing that the legislative definition of a
gas utility singularly establishes the public use determination for eminent domain
purposes. Rather, Permian largely argues that older case law, predating the supreme
court’s explanation of the judicial role in overseeing “public use” determinations, and
predating the constitutional amendment, generally supports its proposition. 9 However,
even these older cases concerning “public use,” including some specifically concerning
gas pipelines, allow the landowner to present affirmative defenses to a condemnation.
See, e.g., Mercier v. MidTexas Pipeline Co., 28 S.W.3d 712, 719 (Tex. App.—Corpus
Christi–Edinburg 2000, pet. denied) (stating that a determination regarding necessity is
“conclusive absent fraud, bad faith, abuse of discretion, or arbitrary or capricious action”);
Anderson v. Teco Pipeline Co., 985 S.W.2d 559, 565–66 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998,
pet. denied) (providing that “a court should approve the taking unless the landowner
demonstrates fraud, bad faith, abuse of discretion, or arbitrary and capricious action” and
examining evidence adduced during trial to determine if the landowner met its burden to
show that the condemnor acted arbitrarily and capriciously); Grimes v. Corpus Christi
determination is “binding upon the courts unless such use is clearly and palpably of a private character.”
Permian’s alleged quotation from a footnote in Davis is actually a quotation from two different lower court
cases in two different footnotes in Davis, and Permian fails to recognize that Davis actually states that the
determination of public use is a “judicial [question] giving great weight, however, to the legislative
determination.” See id. at 704.
9 See, e.g., Loesch v. Oasis Pipeline Co., 665 S.W.2d 595, 598 (Tex. App.—Austin 1984, writ ref’d
n.r.e.) (stating that a gas utility’s ownership of a pipeline “is a ‘public use’ by legislative declaration,
irrespective of whether the pipeline is available for public use”). This case was decided based on an earlier
statutory scheme, without the benefit of the supreme court’s clarification of the standard of review, and
without discussion or consideration of any affirmative defenses to condemnation. See KMS Retail Rowlett,
LP v. City of Rowlett, 593 S.W.3d 175, 182 (Tex. 2019).
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Transmission Co., 829 S.W.2d 335, 339 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg 1992, writ
denied) (op. on reh’g) (stating that “ownership of a pipeline becomes a public use—
regardless of whether it is available for public use,” but nevertheless examining evidence,
including client lists, to determine if the pipeline operated for a public use); Tenngasco
Gas Gathering Co. v. Fischer, 653 S.W.2d 469, 475 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi–Edinburg
1983, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (examining the original proposed use and present use of a pipeline,
stating that a legislative declaration that a use is public “is to be given great weight by the
court in reviewing a complaint that a particular use, sanctioned by the legislature is, in
fact, private,” and stating that such a “declaration is binding on the court unless it is
manifestly wrong or unreasonable, or the purpose for which the declaration is enacted is
‘clearly and probably private’”); Roadrunner Invs., Inc. v. Tex. Utils. Fuel Co., 578 S.W.2d
151, 154 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1979, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (examining whether the “property
condemned was taken for private rather than public use”); see also TC & C Real Estate
Holdings, Inc. v. ETC Katy Pipeline, Ltd., No. 10-16-00134-CV, 2017 WL 7048923, at *4
(Tex. App.—Waco Dec. 20, 2017, pet. denied) (mem. op.) (noting that the determination
of necessity “is conclusive absent fraud, bad faith, abuse of discretion, or arbitrary or
capricious action”).
Permian relies heavily on TC & C Real Estate Holdings, Inc. v. ETC Katy Pipeline,
Ltd., 2017 WL 7048923, at *1–5, in support of its argument. In TC & C, the Waco Court
of Appeals considered an appeal filed by a landowner after a jury trial resulted in a
damage award for the landowner in a condemnation proceeding. Id. at *1. The landowner
contended, in part, that the pipeline owner failed to satisfy jurisdictional requirements
14
because it did not show that the pipeline was for an actual public use. Id. The Waco court
discussed the supreme court’s decision in Texas Rice Land Partners, Ltd., v. Denbury
Green Pipeline–Texas, LLC, 363 S.W.3d 192 (Tex. 2012), but concluded that it was
inapplicable. Id. at *2–3. In Denbury, the supreme court considered a condemnation
proceeding under the Texas Natural Resources Code and held that, “for a person
intending to build a CO2 pipeline to qualify as a common carrier under [§] 111.002(6), a
reasonable probability must exist that the pipeline will at some point after construction
serve the public by transporting gas for one or more customers who will either retain
ownership of their gas or sell it to parties other than the carrier.” Id. at *2 (discussing
Denbury, 363 S.W.3d at 202). The Waco court concluded that the Denbury analysis was
inapplicable to cases arising under the Texas Utilities Code, but noted, nevertheless, that
the pipeline owner “met the standard in Denbury by providing evidence of public use by
producing evidence that it has unaffiliated customers.” Id. at *3. The Waco court ultimately
reasoned that the “legislative declaration that a use is public and the delegation of power
of eminent domain is to be given great weight by the court in reviewing a complaint that
a particular use, sanctioned by the legislature is, in fact, private.” Id. The court concluded
that such a “declaration is binding on the court unless it is manifestly wrong or
unreasonable, or the purpose for which the declaration is enacted is ‘clearly and probably
private.’” Id. (quoting Tenngasco Gas Gathering Co., 653 S.W.2d at 475; Mercier, 28
S.W.3d at 719). According to the court, the “legislature by its enactment has determined
the importance to the public of moving natural gas from the producing areas to where it
can be used,” and thus, “we find that the use at issue in this case qualifies as a ‘public
15
use’ so as not to offend the Constitution.” Id. The court went on, though, to consider the
landowner’s contention that the condemnor failed to meet jurisdictional requirements
insofar as the board of directors failed to properly determine that the taking was
necessary, which determination was “conclusive absent fraud, bad faith, abuse of
discretion, or arbitrary or capricious action.” Id. at *4. The court examined evidence,
including resolutions and testimony, to determine that the landowner had not met its
burden to show that the condemnor engaged in fraud, bad faith, abuse of discretion, or
arbitrary or capricious action. Id.
Whether or not we agree with the entirety of the analysis in TC & C Real Estate
Holdings, Inc., and we note that it was decided without the supreme court’s clarification
of the standard of review in Rowlett, it is abundantly clear that the court considered
evidence, including evidence of unaffiliated customers, in performing its review of the
condemnation issues at hand. Id. at *3–4.
Here, DeRuiter, in its “Plea to the Jurisdiction and, in the Alternative, Objections to
the Award of Special Commissioners,” has expressly pleaded an affirmative defense that
the
pipeline does not serve a public use, there is no public necessity for the
pipeline that is the subject of this condemnation case, and [Permian’s]
governing body has abused its discretion and has acted arbitrarily and
capriciously in purporting to determine that a public necessity exists for the
project for which it proposes to acquire an easement across a portion of the
property.
Whether a condemnor’s decision was fraudulent, in bad faith, or arbitrary and capricious
is, at least in part, evidentiary in nature and depends on proof regarding the affirmative
defense. See KMS Retail Rowlett, LP, 593 S.W.3d at 189 (considering summary
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judgment evidence regarding the affirmative defense of fraud and noting that fraud, bad
faith, and arbitrariness and capriciousness are not interchangeable defenses in support
of an argument that the public use was actually private); Whittington, 384 S.W.3d at 778
(noting that disputed facts regarding an affirmative defense may require submission to a
jury). Whether or not Permian has a “public use” for the condemnation is a relevant issue
in this lawsuit, and the requested discovery pertaining to ownership of the pipeline and
the transportation, processing, and sale of any products through the pipeline is pertinent
to DeReuiter’s affirmative defenses to the condemnation, that is, whether it is fraudulent,
in bad faith, or arbitrary and capricious. Therefore, we conclude that the trial court abused
its discretion by sustaining Permian’s objections to DeRuiter’s discovery requests.
We further conclude that DeRuiter lacks an adequate remedy by appeal to cure
this abuse of discretion. DeRuiter has been effectively denied a reasonable opportunity
to develop a defense that goes to the heart of its case. See In re K & L Auto Crushers,
LLC, 627 S.W.3d at 256; Able Supply Co., 898 S.W.2d at 772; Walker, 827 S.W.2d at
843–44. Moreover, a reviewing court would be unable to evaluate the effect of the trial
court’s denial of discovery from Permian. See In re K & L Auto Crushers, LLC, 627 S.W.3d
at 256; Able Supply Co., 898 S.W.2d at 772; Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 843–44.
Based on the foregoing, we sustain DeRuiter’s sole issue presented in this original
proceeding.
V. CONCLUSION
The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,
Permian’s response, the reply, and the applicable law, is of the opinion that DeRuiter has
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met its burden to obtain mandamus relief. Accordingly, we conditionally grant the petition
for writ of mandamus and direct the trial court to (1) withdraw its order of October 19,
2020, sustaining Permian’s objections to DeRuiter’s requests for production and (2) allow
discovery regarding DeRuiter’s defenses to the condemnation action.
The trial court retains discretion to issue a protective or confidentiality order as
necessary to protect any information that Permian may establish to be confidential and
privileged from disclosure, and to impose any other necessary and appropriate limitations.
See In re K & L Auto Crushers, LLC, 627 S.W.3d at 258 (regarding the trial court’s
discretion to handle discovery issues after mandamus); In re Hous. Pipe Line Co., 311
S.W.3d 449, 452 (Tex. 2009) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam) (giving the trial court
permission to rule on an issue after vacating a previous order). We are confident the trial
court will comply, and our writ will issue only if it does not.
DORI CONTRERAS
Chief Justice
Delivered and filed on the
28th day of September, 2021.
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