New Iowa lawsuit seeks 'emergency' stop to pipeline construction

the Davis Brown Law Firm filed an emergency motion with the Iowa Utilities Board to temporarily prevent construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline across the property of fifteen Iowa landowners while a lawsuit remains pending in Polk County District Court. The motion filed with the IUB is a result of guidance from District Court Judge Jeffrey Farrell after a hearing held Friday, August 19 to decide whether to apply an emergency stay against pipeline construction. The pending lawsuit in Polk County asks whether a private company, which provides no service to Iowans, may use the state's power of eminent domain to seize land from Iowa citizens for its private use. Earlier this year, the Iowa Utilities Board ruled that Dakota Access may use the state's power of eminent domain and could proceed with its proposed oil pipeline.