The Iowa Supreme Court has heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by a group of landowners who claim construction of the Dakota Access oil pipeline on their property violated the Iowa Constitution.
Their land was taken through eminent domain approved by the Iowa Utilities Board, which concluded the pipeline carrying crude oil from North Dakota to Illinois provides a public convenience and necessity, something required under Iowa law to justify taking private land.
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An Iowa court judge in February 2017 agreed. The landowners claim it was illegal to take their land when the pipeline provides no public service to Iowans and they appealed, arguing their case before the high court on Wednesday.
Some landowners and the environmental group Sierra Club want the pipeline carrying oil since June 2017 removed.
