Pipeline Project to Marion County Approved

Iowa utilities regulators have unanimously given approval for construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline that will run from the Bakken Oilfields in North Dakota to the Patoka Oil Tank Farm in northwest Marion County.

The decision of the Iowa Utilities Board came over the objection of thousands of Iowa residents, who sent in 3,700 letters of protest.

The board also will allow Dakota Access the ability to force hundreds of unwilling landowners into easements using eminent domain laws. That is expected to bring lawsuits.

The $3.78-billion pipeline will carry about a half-million barrels of oil per day to the Patoka Tank Farm for further distribution to oil refineries. Illinois, North and South Dakota utility regulators had earlier approved the pipeline.