...In December, a Louisiana judge ruled that the company had the right to seize land but had failed to properly follow legal procedures. Louisiana is one of the few states that allow oil companies to take private land through expropriation, commonly known as eminent domain.

Energy Transfer was required to pay $150 to each of the three property owners contesting the taking of their land, but construction was allowed to continue.

The property owners, aided by lawyers from the Center for Constitutional Rights and Atchafalaya Basinkeeper, have appealed the decision. ...

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