Des Moines, Iowa — A Polk County judge has ruled the Iowa Utilities Board was right in its decision to allow the use of eminent domain for the building of the Dakota Access Bakken oil pipeline. The pipeline runs through Lyon, Sioux, and O’Brien counties on it’s way to a terminal in Illinois.
Fourteen Iowa landowners sued, saying the I-U-B improperly allowed the use eminent domain to seize the land for the pipeline because it has had no direct public benefit for the state as it will transport oil from North Dakota through Iowa to Illinois.
Judge Jefferey Farrell determined the I-U-B properly weighed several factors, including the economic impact on the state and safety concerns, in determining the company could use of eminent domain for the pipeline. The ruling says the board correctly found there is no requirement that the product has to be shipped to or from the state.
A news release from the lawyers representing the landowners in the case says they are disappointed and they intend to appeal to the Iowa Supreme Court.
