Post by Logan on Apr 12, 2016 5:03:54 GMT -6
A group of nine Iowa landowners is suing Iowa utility regulators over the state's decision to authorize the use of eminent domain to access land for the Bakken oil pipeline, which will cross through 18 Iowa counties.
The lawsuit was filed in Polk County District Court against the Iowa Utilities Board on Friday on behalf of the Northwest Iowa Landowners Association and individual landowners. Lawyer Bill Hanigan of the Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines is representing the property owners.
The suit contends that Dakota Access LLC, which plans the underground pipeline, does not qualify as a utility and should not have the ability to use eminent domain to build a pipeline to transport crude oil through Iowa. Eminent domain is power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use in return for fair-market compensation. The petition identifies Dakota Access as a subsidiary of Phillips 66 and Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners.
A statement from the Davis Brown firm issued Monday said its clients contend the Iowa Utilities Board has misinterpreted Iowa law, specifically a 2006 state law designed to protect farmland.
Read more: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/11/iowa-landowners-file-suit-over-bakken-pipeline/82915590/
The lawsuit was filed in Polk County District Court against the Iowa Utilities Board on Friday on behalf of the Northwest Iowa Landowners Association and individual landowners. Lawyer Bill Hanigan of the Davis Brown Law Firm in Des Moines is representing the property owners.
The suit contends that Dakota Access LLC, which plans the underground pipeline, does not qualify as a utility and should not have the ability to use eminent domain to build a pipeline to transport crude oil through Iowa. Eminent domain is power of the government to take private property and convert it into public use in return for fair-market compensation. The petition identifies Dakota Access as a subsidiary of Phillips 66 and Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners.
A statement from the Davis Brown firm issued Monday said its clients contend the Iowa Utilities Board has misinterpreted Iowa law, specifically a 2006 state law designed to protect farmland.
Read more: www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/11/iowa-landowners-file-suit-over-bakken-pipeline/82915590/