DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Utilities Board has declined to take immediate action on a request by 14 landowners to halt construction of a four-state oil pipeline.
There is temporary stop on construction until Monday, Aug. 29, but the board met Thursday to hear two hours of arguments from Texas-based Dakota Access and the landowners on whether to order a more permanent delay.
The landowners have filed a lawsuit that challenges the board’s authority to allow eminent domain of their land for a privately owned pipeline project. That suit has not come before a court yet.
The $3.8 billion pipeline has generated legal challenges and protests in North Dakota and Iowa.
The board adjourned until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, and will meet again Friday afternoon. It gave no indication when it would vote.
