LIMITATIONS ON THE POWERS OF EMINENT DOMAIN IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS

(a) The right of eminent domain granted under this chapter to any pipelines transporting coal in whatever form shall not include and cannot be used to condemn water or water rights for use in the transportation of coal by pipeline, and no Texas water from any source shall be used in connection with the transportation, maintenance, or operation of a coal slurry pipeline (except water used for drinking, toilet, bath, or other personal uses at pumping stations or offices) within the State of Texas unless the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall determine, after public hearing, that the use will not be detrimental to the water supply of the area from which the water is sought to be extracted. (b) The right of eminent domain granted under this chapter to any pipeline transporting coal in whatever form shall not include the power to take land or any interest in land, by exercise of the power of eminent domain, for the purpose of drilling for, mining, or producing any oil, gas, geothermal, geothermal/geopressured, lignite, coal, sulphur, uranium, plutonium, or other mineral, but this provision does not impair the right of any such entity to acquire title to real property for pipelines, including cooling ponds and related surface installations and equipment.