EAST BATON ROUGE – A Delaware-based pipeline operator is suing the State of Louisiana for taxes paid under protest.
The Columbia Gulf Transmission Company filed suit in the 19th Judicial District Court against Cynthia Bridges, Secretary of the Department of Revenue (DOR) and Taxation, and the State of Louisiana.
Columbia claims it made two payments to the DOR in the first quarter of 2012 in connection with its filing of Natural Gas Franchise Tax return, which included a payment of $43,119 it asserts was paid under protest.
The company delivers natural gas via a 3,400 mile pipeline it operates throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee.
It alleges the tax DOR required them to pay was to be applied to the amount of natural gas transported through its pipelines and should not include the value of gas used as compressor fuel in its operations.
Damages are sought in the amount of the disputed tax at $43,119.
The Columbia Gulf Transmission Company is represented by Thomas R. Blum of New Orleans-based Simon, Peragine, Smih and Redfearn, LLP.
The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Janice Clark.
Case number 612353.